PHHS Key Club Visits Kiwanis Club
Advisor Kristine Bushong.
Parsippany Hills High School Key Club members visited and had breakfast with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. The Key Club members could discuss all of their accomplishments so far and what upcoming events they had planned. The Key Club has been instrumental in helping the Club during the food distributions and collecting food at ShopRite for the Parsippany Food Pantry.
Key Club is an international, student-led organization that provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership. Key Club is dedicated to bettering our home, school, and community through service projects, fundraising, and community service. Some requirements must be completed at the beginning of the school year to be eligible for membership in Key Club.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany sponsors the Parsippany Hills High School Key Club.
The local programs funded by the Kiwanis Club
include sponsored youth programs in the Parsippany-Troy Hills school district, such as Key Clubs in both high schools, Builders Clubs in the middle schools, and K-Kids Clubs in all of the elementary schools; Parsippany Day Care Center; Parsippany Library; the Stickley Farms family fun day and numerous other 501(c)3 organizations that serve children and families.
In addition to this financial support of children’s leadership development and service initiatives, the club meets the basic needs of the less fortunate families in our community by providing food and food cards, toiletry items, and blankets through a partnership with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Community Center. The Club also supports state and national organizations that serve the needs of children and their families.
For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany contact Nicolas Limanov at (917) 499-7299
Serving 56,162 Households of Parsippany-Troy Hills
March 2023
www.ParsippanyFocus.news
Frank L. Cahill, Publisher Nicolas Limanov, Photographer
Patrick Minutillo, Contributing Writer
Stephen Pellegrino, Contributing Writer
Christine Mercado, Contributing Writer
Sharon Maroldi, Contributing Writer
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Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 (973) 559-6000
PHHS Key Club Visits Kiwanis Club | Cover, 3
Parsippany Hills High School Key Club members visited and had breakfast with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. The Key Club members could discuss all of their accomplishments so far and what upcoming events they had planned. The Key Club has been instrumental in helping the Club during the food distributions and collecting food at ShopRite for the Parsippany Food Pantry
Message from the Mayor | 6
The budgeting process has been in existence for as long as the history of our nation has been recorded. The United States was born on rocky footing, mired in debt, due to the loans incurred to support the Revolutionary War.
Pop-Up Libraries Build Readers at Brooklawn Middle School | 8
Pop-Up Libraries is an artist-led social initiative to establish small libraries in public spaces, community centers and art centers. The aim of the project is to enhance community spaces, create a catalyst for reading books, encourage recycling and inspire creativity.
Pine Brook Eatery Offers a Unique Twist on Fine Italian Dining| 8
In the general Parsippany area alone, we are very fortunate to experience and enjoy a memorable dining experience at any of those elite eateries. I recently did get that opportunity with a visit to a relative newcomer to the local culinary scene, Elian’s Bistro Café, located in Pine Brook.
EnVogue Salon Celebrates Grand Opening of it’s new location| 16
About Parsippany Focus
Parsippany Focus was founded on October 1, 1989 by Publisher Frank Cahill. Parsippany Focus is the only dedicated news source, publishing local news and information for over thirty-three years exclusively for Parsippany-Troy Hills.
Parsippany Focus Magazine is published monthly by Zoomus Marketing, LLC, 90 East Halsey Road, Suite 304, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 (c) 2023 Zoomus Marketing, LLC.
No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the publisher.
On Saturday, February 18, Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio; Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development
Chairman Frank Cahill; Council President Loretta Gragnani and Councilmen Frank Neglia and Justin Musella; Robert Peluso, President Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, Nicolas Limanov and Ildiko Peluso, Board Members; as well as Nick Rafanello and Scott Donnelly, Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development; and Morris County Commissioner Director John Krickus, Commissioner Stephen Shaw; and longtime customer Carol Tiesi joined in the ribbon cutting celebration of EnVogue’s new location.
“We must consult our means rather than our wishes,” were the wise words of First President George Washington, when speaking of budgets and the wants versus the needs of the people. The budgeting process has been in existence for as long as the history of our nation has been recorded. The United States was born on rocky footing, mired in debt, due to the loans incurred to support the Revolutionary War. To ensure the growth of our nation and to make sure that it would be sustainable there had to be a solid budget foundation. It took many years for the United States to become financially sound, but through hard work and determination it was achieved. A solid budget foundation applies on the local level as well, for every government entity has a basic goal to be as efficient and effective as possible, while utilizing the least amount of resources.
We all know about March Madness and what it means in terms of college basketball, but March brings its own madness to municipalities as well. Though we may not be tossing balls into baskets, we are strategizing our own game plan on how to provide best-in-class services while maintaining a lean budget that will not place a strain on our residents. The budget process is a well-organized tool that helps us produce a resourceful and operative financial plan each year; a plan that benefits both the residents and the Township. Budgeting is a financial map that gives us a clear picture of where we are heading and what we need to do to get there. Not unlike a family budget where you make sure the money you earn adequately covers the money you spend; a municipal budget is the same but on a greater level. As a municipality,
we also have the added weight of justifying our spending to those who are providing the funds to our municipal coffers. We bear the burden of difficult choices that may have to be made which may or may not always please the overall tax paying population.
After many difficult decisions made last year to ensure a balanced budget, I am proud to say that our hard work and dedication has enabled the Township to receive an Aa2 rating by Moody’s. For those who may not know, Moody’s is a bond credit rating business that provides potential investors with credit ratings and risk analysis about government entities. Obligations rated Aa2 are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. A high rating means less risk to potential investors and a lower interest rate for borrowing for the municipality.
We have been able to sustain our high ranking thereby ensuring our credibility in the financial world. As part of this Township, I hope all of you are as gratified as I am to know that Parsippany is fiscally and financially sound. As your Mayor, I look forward to ensuring many more years of economic growth and security for the town and our residents.
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A Message From the Superintendent Pop-Up Libraries Build Readers at Brooklawn
Middle School
We know that the more students have access to reading material, the more likely they are to read and to find stories that engage them. Brooklawn Middle School has found a way to make books super-accessible to students and staff through PopUp Libraries.
Pop-Up Libraries is an artist-led social initiative to establish small libraries in public spaces, community centers and art centers. The aim of the project is to enhance community spaces, create a catalyst for reading books, encourage recycling and inspire creativity. Similar to the Little Free Library, a nonprofit organization aimed at expanding book access in all communities, Pop-Up Libraries enhance a rich and varied school library with smaller “Take a book, Leave a book” opportunities.
At Brooklawn Middle School, four vintage overhead projector carts were repurposed to hold lots of books and “popped up” in locations throughout the school. There are also poems about the love of books and magic of reading hung near each cart and in the halls with arrows directing students toward the Pop-Up Libraries. Books were donated from some classroom libraries, the school’s Media Center, and town libraries giving away older collections.
How does the Pop-Up Library work?
-Students can check out the cart and borrow a book, with no strings attached.
-Students return the book to any cart when they’re done.
-If students have finished a book that they’d like to share, they can swap it for one on the cart.
-Students are asked to keep the cart neat, please and thank you!
Why create a Pop-Up Library?
-Because the more books that are available and within reach, the more likely students are to read!
-It encourages recycling of reading material.
-Decorating the cart inspires creativity.
-The library creates opportunity and community.
You don’t have to work in a school to create a Pop-Up Library. Think about an area in your organization where books might be organized on a cart or small shelf. Just imagine the conversations you’ll have with colleagues over the books they’re taking and returning!
Pine Brook Eatery Offers a Unique Twist on Fine Italian Dining
By Patrick MinutilloWe can agree to disagree, but as far as I’m concerned, New Jersey lays claim to many of the finest Italian American restaurants in the Country. In the general Parsippany area alone, we are very fortunate to experience and enjoy a memorable dining experience at any of those elite eateries. I recently did get that opportunity with a visit to a relative newcomer to the local culinary scene, Elian’s Bistro Café, located in Pine Brook.
The color scheme of grays over natural brick, with minimal but tasteful décor, suits this small, family-owned and operated eatery perfectly. In the true sense of a bistro, the ambiance is one of a comfortable, intimate, warm, and welcoming atmosphere. Simple, yet with an air of unpretentious refinement. Ten small tables are spaced comfortably throughout the limited dining area to ensure customer comfort.
Large plate glass windows provide adequate and comfortable lighting throughout the entirety of the dining room. One large screen T.V. is set up quietly behind the host station, should that be of interest to anyone. The restaurant is named after Edgar and Merced’s five-year-old son, Elian.
Chef Edgar Sanchez, like so many accomplished chefs I have interviewed over the years, began his culinary journey working as a dishwasher at the young age of 16. Arriving in the U.S. from the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, in 1997, Chef Sanchez first settled in the City of Hoboken, where his first job was at the City Bistro Restaurant Lounge, eventually moving on to the Sonoma Bistro in Rutherford, where his mastery of Italian cuisine
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EMPIRE DINER
Scouts BSA Troop 173 Klondike Sled Teams win Second and Third Place
Over 300 youth in the Scouts BSA program participated in the annual Fishawack Klondike Derby, a team competition testing Scouting skills and knowledge. The event was held at Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation in Byram Township on Saturday, February 4.
Those youth compete to maneuver a Klondike sled with equipment from one town to the next around the reservation. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Gold Rush of many years in Alaska, with towns such as Nome, Barrow, Iditarod, Denali, and Juneau. At each town, the team and its captain decide how to utilize the members’ skills best to solve a problem within a certain time constraint. Each team was tested on skills including Pioneering, First Aid, Shelter Building, Orienteering, Shooting, Scout Lore, Cooking, Nature, and Flint & Steel (a.k.a. Fire Building).
The sled teams spent nine hours in brutal “Arctic blast” 1-degree to 20-degree (with -10 degree windchills) weather preparing and pulling their
sleds from town to town in the competition that day.
The Scouts BSA Troop 173 (Parsippany) Junior team, under the leadership of Michael Corbett of Parsippany, placed second out of a field of 14 teams. Additionally, the Scouts BSA Troop 173 (Parsippany) Senior team, under the joint leadership of Jonah Lance of Parsippany and Nick Shatynski of Whippany, placed third out of a field of 27 teams.
Scoutmaster Dave Franz stated: “I’m really proud of our Scouts. They maintained a sense of humor and good cheer while enduring a challenging day. The leaders continued a tradition of enthusiastic preparation, resulting in high placement. They are already looking forward to next year’s competition.”
Troop 173 has served youth in the Parsippany, Hanover, Morris Plains, and Boonton areas since 1957.
Pine Brook Eatery Offers a Unique Twist on Fine Italian Dining
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blossomed. Eventually, working his way up the chain from Line Chef to the gifted Chef he is today. Always hungry to learn, the Chef began to hone his impressive culinary skills by watching,
studying, and emulating the many talented chefs he has worked with throughout his career.
Like all outstanding Chefs, his passion, pride, and Joy of cooking are reflected in all his creations. Now, Chef Sanchez brings those attributes, developed and enhanced by his twenty-plus years of refining his Italian recipes, to Elian’s Bistro Café, his first venture as a business owner, which he opened along with his wife, Merced, in April of 2022.
After hearing several highly complementary reviews regarding Elian’s, my usual group of Friday dining friends and I were anxious to give Elian’s a try. Outside the restaurant is a spacious off-street parking lot, providing ample parking, which is always nice. The stylish, inviting, brown brick and sparkling glass-faced restaurant, with green signage announcing American, Italian (BrunchLunch-Dinner), is situated on the side of a small business complex. Less than half a mile from the Parsippany border. On entry, most of the seating was filled with diners enjoying their lunch, but I made reservations, and several tables were set up and prepared to accommodate our group.
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EnVogue Salon Celebrates Grand Opening of it’s new location
EnVogue Salon opened its door for the first time in July 1994. From the moment it opened, it made a reputation for itself as a salon that creates beautiful looks, confidence, peace, and a caring environment for all its clients. From the very start, the salon had a creative team who put their best foot forward and made the salon a place for everyone to enjoy themselves.
One of its creative team is Bharti Khandelwal. Bharti is an immigrant who first came to the USA in 2003, dreaming of making a better living for herself, her husband, and her future family. She enrolled in an Artistic academy to gain her cosmetology license in 2004.
From 9-5 every day, she studied as a student at the academy and worked a retail job at night. Her hard work and passion paid off in 2005 when she received her cosmetology license and got her first job at EnVogue Salon.
There she worked as an assistant for six months,
gaining and learning more and more, and finally became an official hairstylist. Thus, she worked as a hairstylist for 11 years at EnVogue, creating beautiful results and even more beautiful smiles.
She puts forward hard work, dedication, and ommitment, showing only her best to the world and, more importantly, her clients.
In 2017, all her hard work paid off, and she got the opportunity to take over the salon as its new boss and purchased the salon.
Once she took over the salon, she worked even harder, creating social media accounts, new clientele, and a new name and identity for the salon.
She was soon joined by Paul, a stylist who has supported her through thick and thin and is still with her
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“ Whatever good things we build end up building us ”
Lions Club Announces
“Spring Food Festival”
Parsippany Lions Club is affiliated with Lions Clubs International, of the world’s largest service club organization with 1.4 million members in 50,000 clubs across 200 countries.
The club is hosting its first-ever Spring Food Festival on Saturday, March 25, at the Central Middle School, 1620 Route 46, from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 p.m. The Honorable Mayor James Barberio and the Chiefs of Parsippany First Responders will inaugurate the festival.
The event has been organized as a fundraiser for the brave men and women who serve as First Responders – EMS, Firefighters, and Police.
“We are thrilled to bring the community together for this exciting food fest and to support our First Responders,” said Pratap Jayakar, President of the Parsippany Lions Club. “We hope to see everyone there, having a great time while making a difference in the lives of those who serve our community.”
The Parsippany Lions Club invites everyone to attend to show their love and support for our real-life heroes. This event promises a wonderful afternoon full of mouthwatering delicacies, exciting games, and fun activities while garnering support for a worthy cause.
I finally got relief from my chronic pain!
Roberta L. of Morris Plains, NJ found herself living in constant pain. She felt as though she was walking on pins and needles, becoming weaker and weaker every day. “I was beginning to worry that one day I would be wheelchair bound.” Roberta’s story is all too familiar for the over 3 million people in the U.S. suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy (PN). When asked how PN was affecting her quality of life, she responded, “It is difficult to even walk up and down stairs and do other things we usually take for granted. My doctor told me I just had to live with the pain or take more medication for the rest of my life!”
Fortunately for Roberta, Restoration Health Acupuncture & Nutrition combines the time-tested science of acupuncture with technology originally developed by NASA to expedite recovery and healing of this debilitating disease. After a series of treatments, Roberta is taking stairs with stride!
If you’re living life in constant pain and discomfort, are experiencing burning, tingling, weakness or numbness in your arms, hands, legs or feet, or loss of balance or falling, Restoration Health Acupuncture & Nutrition can help!
Henry C. Liao Earns Ameriprise Client Experience Award
Henry C. Liao, CRPC®, a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Parsippany, has earned the Ameriprise Client Experience Award for 2022.
Liao was honored with this award because of his ability to deliver personalized, goal-based advice and exceptional client service consistently. Award recipients earned a client satisfaction rating equal to or greater than 4.9 out of 5.0* and maintained stellar business results. The award represents an elite group of Ameriprise advisors recognized as leaders for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of their clients.
As a Private Wealth Advisor, Liao provides financial advice anchored in a solid understanding of client needs and expectations and delivered in one-on-one relationships with his clients.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact Henry C. Liao, CRPC®, at (973) 265-1185 or visit the Ameriprise office at 90 East Halsey Road, Suite 106.
Ameriprise Financial has been helping people feel confident about their financial future for over 125 years.
With extensive investment advice, asset management, and insurance capabilities and a nationwide network of approximately 10,000 financial advisors, and has the strength and expertise to serve the full range of individual and institutional investors’ financial needs. The company was founded on June 29, 1894.
Pine Brook Eatery Offers a Unique Twist on Fine Italian Dining
(Continued from Page 14)
Our host and co-owner, Merced, cheerfully greeted us and ensured we were comfortably seated.
Wine bottles were uncorked (did I mention Elian’s is a BYOB), water glasses were filled, and menus quickly arrived. Between lunch and dinner, we all opted to order off the menu. Though not extensive, the menu (common for Bistros) offered a tantalizing variety of appetizers, main courses, pasta, soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. The Chef, who was busy in the kitchen, welcomed us to his restaurant, which is always a nice touch. After conversing with the owners during and following the meal, it was nice to see that Edgar and Merced were a beautiful couple who were immensely proud of and loved their new endeavor.
As usual, we ordered an assortment of shareable appetizers. Homemade Burrata Cheese (Orange marmalade, prosciutto di Parma, crostini, and crumbled candied pecans), Spicy Tuna Tartare (Avocado, jalapeno, sesame soy sauce, and crispy wonton), Crispy Fried Calamari (Hot Cherry Peppers, lemon, with house-made marinara sauce), and Guacamole en Molcajete (Fresh made guacamole, jalapenos, onions, lime juice, and fresh corn tortilla chips). Yes, I did say guacamole! What makes Elian’s unique is the eclectic nature of its menu. Besides gourmet-style Italian dishes and
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St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Dance
American Legion Parsippanong Post 249 will be holding their annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Dance on Saturday, March 18 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
They are serving Corned Beef with all the trimmings, buffet style. Dessert and coffee included. DJ. Donation $25.00. Advanced ticket sales only.
Tickets are now on sale at the American Legion NJ Post 249 bar. They will also be having a 50/50 cash raffle that night with tickets going on sale soon also at the bar.
American Legion Parsippanong Post 249 is located at 91 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha.
EnVogue Salon Celebrates Grand Opening of it’s new location
(Continued from Page 16)
in the salon today! While EnVogue was already an amazing salon, she took it to a new level by not only sticking with traditional hairstyles but also letting her creativity and passion for colors and arts flow through the beautiful hair of her clients.
On some days, it’s a rainbow hair dying; on another, it’s a bride’s special day that she had the opportunity to make even more special. From haircuts, colors, blowouts, and makeup, she created a name for herself and her salon with high standards and established herself as one of the best and most professional salons in the area.
In 2022, it was time for her salon to move locations; thus, she geared herself for an entirely new journey and shift to a new location. It was a daunting task, but she was up to it and purchased a location that was originally a salon that was opened more than 30 years ago, the Vincent Ghetto salon.
The Vincent Ghetto Salon has a history of its own, passed down from generation to generation, but it had fallen into disrepair. Bharti, seeing the beauty of the location, purchased it and started the journey to build a new salon, one that was a reflection of both the history of the original Ghetto salon, but also the EnVogue Salon that she spent years making a name for.
For months the salon was worked on and had its own issues. But the salon and hope for happy clients surpassed all problems, and the salon was built and ready in January of 2023.
On her birthday, Bharti resumed her work. The salon’s story, her story, and its ups and downs make her and this salon so beautiful.
Passion, inspiration, love, and care were and still are the foundations of this salon, no matter the location. And thus, the salon lives on as a testament to the dedication and commitment of the salon and its creative team to its clients.
The beauty of the story of EnVogue is only surpassed by the beauty of the smiles of the clients who walk out of the salon at the end of their appointment. The salon lives on, not based on how it looks or where it is, but on the hair and stories of its stunning clients. Join us in making a new story for this new salon, and visit EnVogue today to add to this beautiful legacy!
On Saturday, February 18, Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio; Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Chairman Frank Cahill; Council President Loretta Gragnani and Councilmen Frank Neglia and Justin Musella; Robert Peluso, President Parsippany Area
Chamber of Commerce, Nicolas Limanov and Ildiko Peluso, Board Members; as well as Nick Rafanello and Scott Donnelly, Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development; and Morris County Commissioner Director John Krickus, Commissioner Stephen Shaw; and longtime customer Carol Tiesi joined in the ribbon cutting celebration of EnVogue’s new location.
The new location is located at 54 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha. Hours at Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Please call to schedule your complimentary consultation at (973) 402-5454 or visit their website at envoguethesalon.com.
Mark Schlette Earned his “Communication Badge”
Mark Schlette, a scout with Scouts BSA Troop 72, attended a recent Parsippany-Troy Hills Council meeting to earn his “Communication Badge.” Mark is a junior at Parsippany Hills High School.
To earn a communication badge, the scout can select from a list of requirements. The scout can attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) where several points of view are given on a single issue.
Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Then the scout had to prepare an objective report that included all points of view expressed and share this with their counselor.
Communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The field of communication promotes the effective and ethical practice of human communication.
This badge is one of the many badges the scout must earn before earning Eagle Rank.
Troop 72 was founded in 1954 and served the boys of the Parsippany Area until March 12, 2019.
This new feature of Parsippany Focus magazine will highlight photographic series entitled “The Passage of Time.” Longtime resident Stephen Pellegrino is our contributing editor of this feature. If you have any photos you want Mr. Pellegrino to consider, please send email them to news@parsippanyfocus.com.
This is a race car parked at the Troy Hills Speedway, which was located at the corner of Baldwin Road and Route 46, the present site of Smith Field Park. According to the website speedwayandroadwayhistory.com, Troy Hills Speedway was a 1/3 mile dirt oval track that opened in 1931 and closed in 1934. During its life no fatalities were recorded.
The surface at Troy Hills was coated with a mixture of mine dust and oil. This coating suppressed any dust clouds that were normally associated with dirt track speedways--possibly the reason why the track had such a high safety record. Troy Hills was one of the first east coast tracks to install electric lighting.
Today, visitors to the park will find no evidence that this racetrack ever existed. But players on the present ball fields are actually playing sports on land where vintage cars once whipped around the track at breakneck speeds!
Montague, 7-Month Old Male Bichon Frise
Montague, a seven month old male Bichon Frise is ooking for a new home.
Montague is very young and is looking for an home who is home more often than not to spend time playing and training him. We’d prefer he go into a home with another adult dog to show him the ropes.
Montague is as sweet as they come! He is the ultimate people pleaser and an absolute love bug! His favorite hobbies include snuggling, playing with toys, and wrestling with his doggy siblings! He has not met a person or dog he has not liked, and vice versa!
Montague loves all kids. He plays all day long with his doggy friends and he would be fine with cats.
As he is very young, his forever home must be experienced and ready to put him through training so she can become the well-behaved adult we know he can be! He is working on learning puppy manners. He is learning how to walk on a leash and go up and down stairs.
Montague was rejected by a pet shop and was to be returned to the mill where he was destined to be destroyed.
If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application on our website wiseanimalrescue.org/adoption-application.
Happy Paws House Calls
Dr. Mandeep Mini Veterinarian
Risotto Croquettes
6 Oz Prosciutto
12 Oz Fresh Mozzarella
1 Box of Arborio Rice
1Large onion
4 Quarts Water
2 Cups Soybean oil
Salt & Pepper
6 Eggs
2 Cups Flour for dredging
4 Cups Breadcrumbs
This recipe takes some time but is worth it and a real crowd pleaser. Dice and cook the prosciutto until crispy, set aside. Dice the fresh mozzarella and set aside. Mince the onion and sweat in a 5-quart stock pot, add rice. Stir and add water, and a modest amount of salt and pepper. Simmer the rice, stirring occasionally, until all the water is absorbed. Approximately 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. When cool to
the touch add the prosciutto and mozzarella and mix with your latex covered hands. Transfer to a large pastry bag cut wide, with no tip. Pipe out 1 inch diameter by 3.5-inch-long logs, place in the fridge for an hour, or overnight. Set up a breading station of flour, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs. Coat the logs with flour and remove excess, then dip in egg and then roll in the breadcrumbs. We use Soybean oil to fry them. Working in batches carefully brown all the croquettes and transfer to paper towels to dry. Finish in the oven for ten minutes and serve with your favorite marinara or dipping sauce.
Chef Matthew Pierone, Gourmet Café Restaurant136 Baldwin Road
Parsippany, New Jersey (973) 316-0088
gourmetcafenj@comcast.net
Apply for Morris County Public Safety Youth Academy Program
The Morris County Department of Law & Public Safety and the Morris County Board of Commissioners announced the tenth-annual Morris County Public Safety Youth Academy (MCPSYA). This program will be coordinated by the Morris County Office of Emergency Management and held at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy.
Applications for the 2023 Morris County Public Safety Youth Academy program are now open. The program is open to all Morris County high school students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2023.
Applications are being accepted until April 14, 2023. The free program will take place from July 31 to August 4.
The MCPSYA is a distinctive program that exposes our cadets to the many facets of the public safety field and focuses on introducing our cadets to
real-world issues happening worldwide today. This intensive program will provide cadets with hands-on experience in the fields of Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, Emergency Management, and more.
For more information visit www.morrisoem.wixsite.com/mcpsya
Mayor’s Action Center Mayor James R. Barberio
What The Mayor’s Action Center Does For You
(973) 263-4262
Listens: The Mayor’s Action Center welcomes any request for service or information. No matter what the problem or question, every effort is made to give a prompt response. Please use GovPilot to report a concern, the concern can be reported at any time via online form or through the Gov-Pilot App.
Records: All requests for service, received through the Mayor’s Action Center, are automatically logged-in to ensure that every request is on file and can be easily retrieved. Requests are forwarded to the appropriate department and the requester will be updated along the process.
Resolves: The Mayor’s Action Center attempts to address residents’ concerns in a timely manner. Every request for action is tracked from inception to completion. Upon completion, residents will receive notice that the issue or complaint was addressed.
Examples of Requests: Repairing of potholes; Drainage problems; Requests for signs; Litter; Icy road conditions; Illegal dumping; Housing maintenance problems; Animal control and removal; Street lighting; Curb repair;
Pine Brook Eatery Offers a Unique Twist on Fine Italian Dining
(Continued from Page 20)
standard American fare, you will find several items particular to Chef’s homland, including such dishes as Guacamole,Empanadas and a Burrito Bowl (served with jasmine rice, lettuce, beans, corn Pico de Gallo, guacamole, mozzarella cheese, and homemade salsa) can be customized). Every app was fresh and delicious and quickly devoured, from the soft textured, creamy stracciatella Burrata Cheese (one of my favorites), to the light-tasting, soft tuna Calamari that was perfectly prepared and perfectly complemented by the tangy and tasty marinara sauce. Finally, the nutty flavor and smooth, creamy texture of the guacamole had that mild, sweet flavor one looks for in a well-made guacamole. I should note every dish was homemade and beautifully presented, utilizing only fresh,
seasonal ingredients. The focus at Elian’s is clearly on quality, not quantity, though the portion sizes are more than adequate. Great start; every appetizer was a home run.
As we bantered with Merced while clearing our plates and as we sipped our diminishing wine, we began the challenging task of choosing our entrees. As I said earlier, the selection was not extensive, but every dish listed appeared more mouthwatering than the next.
For dinner, selections included pistachio Crusted Branzino, Pan Roasted Atlantic Salmon, Braised Beef of Short Ribs, Homemade Pappardelle Pasta, and Spicy Cajun Rigatoni, to name a few. Soups, salads, and burgers were tempting, with selections like Lobster Shrimp Bisque and Candied Pecan Pear Salad. Not an easy decision!
For my entrée, I focused on the Braised Beef of Short Ribs (Truffle Manchego whipped potatoes and crispy onions). The short ribs were delectable, savory, moist, and juicy, and they broke apart at the touch of my fork. Absolutely exquisite dish,
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Pine Brook Eatery Offers a Unique Twist on Fine Italian Dining
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perfectly complimented by the Truffle Manchego cheese whipped potatoes, whose flavors were complex, earthy, and smooth. Masterfully made, well-balanced dish, equivalent to what I would expect in a high-end fine-dining restaurant. Bobby A. ordered the Goat Cheese Potato Gnocchi (Italian hot sausage, petite broccoli rabe, toasted pine nuts, short ribs, and butter sauce). He loved it! The mild and lightly sweet goat cheese and flavorful sausage clearly melded perfectly with accompanying ingredients, all in a tasty and flavor-filled butter sauce.
Mike Z. chose the Bucatini Pasta (Homemade veal meatballs, Chile flakes, basil, pecorino cheese, and spicy pomodoro sauce). The hole-centered, thick spaghetti-like pasta clearly hit the spot as all our plates were cleaned. The pomodoro sauce, thicker but smoother than marinara sauce, was perfect for the pasta. No take-home containers this day! As for Rich C., he went in a different direction with the French Dip Sandwich (Sliced New York strip steak, caramelized onions, provolone cheese, horseradish cream, and au jus). Our dining experience was completed with a Cappuccino and a complimentary, decadent dessert sent out by the Chef, his Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake with
almond cinnamon crusted and fresh whipped cream. Wow, you must try this when you visit!
The consensus was that this was a delicious and satisfying meal. The service and hospitality were outstanding. Chef Edgar created magic in the kitchen. If you are looking for a nice stop for brunch, lunch, or dinner, do yourself a favor and try Elian’s Bistro Café. (The brunch menu consists of many regular fares, including eggs benedicts, bananas foster, stuffed French toast, grilled steak sandwich, El Burrito bowl, truffle egg flatbread, Mexican pork carnitas chilaquiles, among assorted other choices).
Whatever you choose, you will taste Chef Sanchez’s true passion and love of cooking in every bite. And as he says on his site, “A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.”
Cuisine: American, Italian, Mexican. Closed Tuesdays – BYOB
Hours: Weekdays, 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dine In – Take Out – Delivery – Outside Dining (Weather Permitting); Off-Street Parking – Catering – Reservations Accepted.
Zoomus Marketing, LLC.
90 East Halsey Road, Suite 304
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054
Attention kids of all ages!
The Martone Team is hosting Pictures with the Easter Bunny at the Parsippany Elks
Sunday March 26th from 2-5pm
Bring your camera or phone and take as many pictures as you like. We will be handing out goodie bags and giveaways.
Friendly pets are welcome!
For anyone that wishes to contribute there will be a charity collection for the Parsippany Elks Ladies Auxiliary