Two local residents have been appointed as new trustees of The Summit Foundation, which fosters philanthropy by identifying local needs and offering donors flexible ways to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors.
Rob Jeffries was, prior to his retirement, a vice chairman at Barclays and a managing director at JP Morgan in their investment banks. In addition, he served on the board of trustees at the Summit Area YMCA for more than a decade, including serving as chairman for two years.
Sara Reeder is a founder, owner and manager of Murray Hill Tennis & Fitness, where she has worked for nine years. She is also an owner of Summit House restaurant. Having formerly practiced corporate law at Clifford
Chance New York, her volunteer work has included serving on the board at the Cornerstone School and being active with the Summit Junior League.
Founded by a group of citizens in 1972, The Summit Foundation has as its goal to foster philanthropic giving, build resources and strengthen the community.
“We believe that leaders with diverse backgrounds and perspectives can foster a culture of adaptive and impactoriented philanthropy and create opportunities where all can thrive,” Foundation board members said. “Incorporating different voices enhances our knowledge of the challenges and goals of people in the Summit area. We provide a range of funds to accommodate donor preferences, including a general unrestricted fund, donor-advised funds, scholarship funds and special-purpose funds.”
Volume 41 I Issue 3
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CO-CHAIRPERSONS:
David Dietze, Peapack Private Wealth Management Marcella Gencarelli, Valley Bank
VICE CHAIR BERKELEY HEIGHTS: James Kwan, Ace Pension Solutions LLC,
VICE CHAIR NEW PROVIDENCE: Joseph Eberle, Weichert Realtors
VICE CHAIR SUMMIT:
Roxanne Giacalone, Christie’s International Real Estate
TREASURER: Paul Kieltyka, Summit Area YMCA
SECRETARY: Joseph Steiner, President Emeritus
DIRECTORS:
Kelly Bonventre, NJ Sharing Network
Adam Brown Esq., The Adam M. Brown Law Group LLC
May Abraham Fridel, Passion for Spices
John M. Inguagiato Esq., Alfonso & Webber, LLC
Roger Mehner Esq., Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper
Kerry Mowry, Overlook Medical Center
David Maskello, Winberie's Restaurant and Bar
THE CHAMBER STAFF
Published by The Suburban Chamber of Commerce
Evelyn Davis , Executive Director
Karen Fern Hadley , Advertising Sales
Joseph Steiner , Publisher
Patricia E. Meola , Contributing Editor
Steven Meyer , Art Director & Layout Design
E-mail us at collection@suburbanchambers.org
Direct Mailed to Every Home, Apartment and Business in: Summit • Berkeley Heights • New Providence
And Demographically Selected Single Family Homes in: Short Hills • Chatham • Mountainside • Springfield
Retired Summit High School baseball Coach Jim Dietz was inducted into the N.J. Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame representing the Northwest Section at a ceremony in Flemington on June 10, which was followed by the High School Seniors All-Star game.
Now retired and residing in Arizona, Coach Dietz spent 39 years teaching and coaching at Summit High School. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, he was a two-sport athlete at Moravian University, was drafted in 1969 by the Phillies and played two years in their minor leagues before accepting a math teaching/coaching job in Summit. He served as an assistant baseball coach for 14 years before being named head coach in 1988, a position he held for 16 years. His teams won four conference championships,
two in the Watchung Conference and two in the Iron Hills, two Union County Championships and one State Championship. Coach Dietz credited mentors at the high school including Howie Anderson and Art Cotterell.
The 1991 team finished with a 24-8 record, the most wins in Summit history. The players won the Watchung Conference and North Group II State Section Championship, as well as the North Group II Title, before losing in the State Group II Final.
The 1992 team had a 22-8 record and claimed the Watchung Conference and Union County championships. The 1998 team was 22-6 and captured the Iron Hills Title as well as the Union County Championship.
Coach Dietz’ Summit teams reached the Group II State Section Championship game four times, and his total of 243 wins ranks first in Summit High School history. He also served as an assistant football coach for 34 years, with teams that won six State Championships.
Dentistry is a deeply fulfilling and rewarding profession that brings me immense satisfaction. The ability to positively transform people's lives through comprehensive oral healthcare fills me with joy and a sense of purpose. I find great pleasure in restoring smiles, relieving pain and enhancing overall oral health for my patients. The perfect blend of artistry, scientific expertise and compassionate patient care within dentistry continuously inspires me to strive for excellence in my practice. The ever-evolving nature of the field, with its constant advancements and innovative techniques, keeps me energized and motivated to expand my knowledge and skills. Above all, witnessing the profound impact that dentistry has on individuals' confidence, self-esteem and overall well-being is what truly resonates with me. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives.
MY STORY
I am thrilled to be practicing dentistry within the close-knit community of Summit. The opportunity to foster strong connections with my patients engenders a profound sense of appreciation for my vocation. I am grateful to have had the privilege of attending the General Practice Residency program at Morristown Medical Center, an experience that afforded me the opportunity to explore various specialized fields within dentistry. As a result, I have discovered a genuine affinity for procedures encompassing implants, wisdom teeth extractions and cosmetic dentistry cases.
Recognizing that patients’ confidence in their treatment hinges upon their
understanding of available options, I am committed to addressing their questions and concerns. This empathetic approach enables me to tailor the most effective course of treatment for each patient. My dental training has ingrained in me a profound understanding of the pivotal role patient involvement plays in achieving successful outcomes. During my leisure time, I love traveling and spending time with my family. I enjoy golfing during the summer months and snowboarding throughout the winter season.
· DMD: University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
· General Practice Residency: Morristown Medical Center
· BS: Pennsylvania State University
· Member: American Dental Association, Maryland State Dental Association, New Jersey Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry
DR. BLAKE E. BANDEFF, DMD
33 Overlook Rd, Suite 402 Summit, NJ 07901 908-522-0077 www.summitfamilycosmetic.com
Music will take center stage as Summit’s Reeves-Reed Arboretum continues a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary as a non-profit public garden with a September concert in the garden.
The Suyat Band will perform and bring a touch of Hawaii to the Mainland on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Led by its namesake, Hawaiian-born Matthew Suyat, an American Idol Top 24 Finalist, the band has performed at such venues as NYC's BB King's and Montclair’s Wellmont Theater.
"This concert is a tribute to the natural beauty and community spirit that have flourished at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum over the past 50 years," said Jackie Kondel, the site’s executive director. "We invite everyone to join us for this special occasion, where music and nature come together to celebrate our shared history and future."
The arboretum’s grounds at 165 Hobart Ave. will open at 3 p.m. for concertgoers to picnic. Attendees should bring their own blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets.
Admission is free for members and children younger than three, $15 for non-members and $5 for students. Visit reevesreedarboretum.org for tickets and details. There is limited on-site parking, and attendees are asked to follow all local parking regulations.
This program is made possible in part by a 2024 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
FOOTBALL: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
8/29 6:30 pm @ Lakeland
9/6 7:00 pm @ New Providence
9/14 1:00 pm Iselin Kennedy
9/20 7:00 pm North Plainfield
9/27 6:00 pm @ South Plainfield
10/5 2:00 pm Johnson
10/12 7:30 pm @ Voorhees
10/19 1:00 pm Bernards
10/25 7:00 pm @ New Brunswick
BOYS SOCCER: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/5 4:00 pm @ Cranford
9/7 2:00 pm Whippany Park
9/10 4:30 pm Blair
9/12 4:00 pm Elizabeth
9/17 4:00 pm @ Westfield
9/19 4:00 pm @ Johnson
9/21 2:00 pm East Brunswick
9/23 4:30 pm St. Thomas Aquinas
9/26 4:00 pm Scotch Plains-Fanwood
9/28 9:00 am North Plainfield
9/30 4:00 pm Summit
10/5 2:00 pm @ Oratory
10/7 4:00 pm @ Millburn
10/22 4:00 pm @ Union
10/24 6:00 pm Dickinson
10/26 2:00 pm New Providence
10/29 4:00 pm Rahway
11/1 4:00 pm@ Columbia
GIRLS SOCCER: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/5 4:00 pm Union
9/7 2:00 pm @ Johnson
9/10 4:00 pm @ Elizabeth
9/14 10:00 am @ New Providence
9/17 4:00 pm Morris Catholic
9/19 4:00 pm Westfield
9/21 4:30 pm Cranford
9/24 4:00 pm Summit
9/28 11:30 am Voorhees
9/30 4:00 pm @ Kent Place
10/2 1:00 pm @ Scotch Plains-Fanwood
10/5 1:00 pm @ Scotch Plains-Fanwood
10/19 10:00 am @ Franklin
10/22 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
10/24 TBA @ South Plainfield
10/26 2:00 pm Bayonne
10/29 6:30 pm @ Livingston
10/31 4:00 pm @ Dayton
FIELD HOCKEY: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/4 4:00 pm Scotch Plains-Fanwood
9/9 4:00 pm @ Union
9/11 4:00 pm Millburn
9/14 12:00 pm @ Hillsborough
9/16 4:00 pm Koinonia
9/18 TBA @ Verona
9/21 7:00 pm Mount St. Dominic
9/28 2:00 pm Phillipsburg
9/30 TBA @ Summit
10/5 5:00 pm @ South Plainfield
10/7 4:00 pm Johnson
10/9 4:00 pm @ Montclair Kimberley
10/14 4:00 pm Glen Ridge
10/16 6:00 pm @ Livingston
10/24 4:15 pm Caldwell
10/26 1:00 pm @ Cranford
11/1 4:30 pm @ Delaware Valley
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
8/30 2:00 pm @ Madison
9/5 4:00 pm @ Union Catholic
9/6 4:30 pm Hillsborough
9/7 TBA @ Bloomfield
9/9 4:00 pm @ St. Elizabeth
9/11 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
9/12 4:00 pm vs. Elizabeth
9/16 4:00 pm @ Kent Place
9/18 4:00 pm Rahway
9/19 5:15 pm @ Summit
9/20 4:00 pm Morris Knolls
9/23 4:00 pm @ Westfield
9/25 4:00 pm Union Catholic
9/30 4:00 pm @ Elizabeth
10/1 4:00 pm Kent Place
10/7 4:00 pm @ Rahway
10/8 4:30 pm Notre Dame
10/9 4:00 pm Summit
10/10 4:00 pm Westfield
10/15 4:00 pm Madison
10/23 TBA @ Columbia
10/23 4:00 pm @ Columbia
10/28 7:00 pm Delaware Valley
10/29 4:00 pm Millburn
GIRLS TENNIS: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/3 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
9/5 4:00 pm Scotch Plains-Fanwood
9/6 4:00 pm @ Summit
9/9 4:00 pm Roselle Park
9/10 4:00 pm @ Kent Place
9/11 4:00 pm Roselle Park
9/12 4:00 pm New Providence
9/13 4:00 pm @ Westfield
9/16 4:00 pm @ Oak Knoll
9/17 4:00 pm Dayton
9/18 4:00 pm Summit
9/19 4:00 pm Columbia
9/20 4:00 pm Kent Place
9/23 4:00 pm Cranford
9/30 4:00 pm @ Union Catholic
10/17 4:00 pm @ Madison
10/18 4:00 pm New Providence
10/21 4:00 pm @ New Providence
10/22 4:00 pm @ Chatham
10/24 4:00 pm Westfield
10/28 4:30 pm McNair
GYMNASTICS: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/10 4:30 pm @ Scotch Plains-Fanwood
9/13 4:30 pm @ Ridge
9/16 7:00 pm Union Catholic
9/19 5:00 pm @ St. Thomas Aquinas
9/24 4:30 pm @ Cranford
10/7 7:00 pm Westfield
10/22 7:00 pm Dayton
BOYS & GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: VARSITY DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/10 4:30 pm @ Oak Ridge Park, Clark
9/17 4:30 pm @ Warinarco Park Elizabeth
9/24 4:30 pm @ Warinarco Park Elizabeth
10/16 4:00 pm UCC Championship @ Oak Ridge Park, Clark
10/24 4:00 pm UCIAC Championships @ Warinarco Park Elizabeth
11/2 9:00 am NJSIAA Sectional @ Thompson Park
11/9 9:00 am NJSIAA State Final @ Holmdel Park
11/16 9:00 pm Meet Of Champions @ Holmdel Park
FOOTBALL: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/7 1:00 pm Montgomery
9/14 1:00 pm @ Hillside
9/21 1:00 pm Carteret
9/28 1:00 pm Cranford
10/4 7:00 pm @ Somerville
10/12 7:00 pm @ Bernards
10/19 1:00 pm Woodbridge
10/25 7:00 pm @ Scotch Plains-Fanwood
BOYS SOCCER: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/5 4:00 pm Union
9/10 4:00 pm Brearley
9/12 4:00 pm Plainfield
9/17 4:00 pm @ Oratory
9/19 6:30 pm Linden
9/21 9:00 am Barringer
9/24 4:00 pm @ Johnson
9/26 6:30 pm Roselle Park
9/30 4:00 pm @ Gov. Livingston
10/1 4:30 pm Hillsborough
10/21 4:00 pm Watchung Hills
10/24 4:00 pm Cranford
10/28 4:00 pm @ New Providence
10/30 4:00 pm Hackettstown
GIRLS SOCCER: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
8/26 4:00 pm @ Madison
9/5 4:00 pm New Providence
9/7 1:00 pm @ Morristown
9/11 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
9/17 4:30 pm @ Kearny
9/19 4:00 pm Scotch Plains-Fanwood
9/21 1:30 pm @ Blair
9/24 4:00 pm @ Gov. Livingston
10/1 4:00 pm @ Cranford
10/5 1:00 pm Bayonne
10/8 6:30 pm Kent Place
10/10 4:00 pm Ridge
10/15 4:00 pm @ Watchung Hills
10/22 4:00 pm @ Westfield
10/24 4:00 pm Rutgers Prep
10/28 4:00 pm Elizabeth
11/1 4:30 pm @ Bernards
FIELD HOCKEY: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/5 4:00 pm @ Verona
9/10 4:00 pm @ West Essex
9/12 4:00 pm Randolph
9/14 1:30 pm Westfield
9/16 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
9/18 4:30 pm Montclair
9/23 4:15 pm Sayreville
9/25 4:00 pm @ Montville
9/28 9:30 am Freehold Borough
9/30 TBA Gov. Livingston
10/2 3:30 pm @ Millburn
10/5 1:30 pm Morristown
10/9 4:00 pm @ Kent Place
10/14 4:00 pm @ Newton
10/16 4:00 pm Scotch Plains-Fanwood
10/29 4:00 pm Hunterdon Central
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/5 5:15 pm Kent Place
9/6 5:15 pm New Providence
9/7 11:00 am Johnson
9/7 12:30 pm @ Linden
9/9 4:00 pm @ Rahway
9/11 5:15 pm Scotch Plains-Fanwood
9/14 9:30 am Cranford
9/14 12:30 pm Roselle Park
9/16 5:15 pm Westfield
9/18 4:00 pm @ Union Catholic
9/19 5:15 pm Gov. Livingston
9/23 4:00 pm @ Elizabeth
9/25 4:00 pm @ Kent Place
9/26 5:15 pm Rahway
10/1 4:00 pm @ Westfield
10/7 5:15 pm Union Catholic
10/9 4:00 pm @ Gov. Livingston
10/10 5:15 pm Elizabeth
10/14 5:30 pm Oak Knoll
10/16 6:00 pm @ New Providencee
10/24 5:15 pm Raritan
10/28 5:15 pm Dayton
10/30 4:00 pm @ Chatham
10/31 5:12 pm Madison
GIRLS TENNIS: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/3 4:00 pm @ Westfield
9/5 4:00 pm Kent Place
9/6 4:00 pm Gov. Livingston
9/9 4:00 pm @ Bernards
9/10 4:00 pm New Providence
9/12 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
9/13 4:15 pm @ Montclair Kimberley
9/16 4:00 pm Westfield
9/18 4:00 pm @ Gov. Livingston
9/19 4:00 pm Scotch Plains-Fanwood
9/20 4:00 pm @ New Providence
9/23 4:00 pm @ Kent Place
9/30 4:00 pm Pingry
10/1 4:00 pm Sparta
10/8 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
GYMNASTICS: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/10 4:30 pm @ Scotch Plains-Fanwood
9/13 4:30 pm @ Ridge
9/16 7:00 pm Union Catholic
9/19 5:00 pm @ St. Thomas Aquinas
9/24 4:30 pm @ Cranford
10/7 7:00 pm Westfield
10/22 7:00 pm Dayton
BOYS & GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/10 4:30 pm @ Oak Ridge Park, Clark
9/17 4:30 pm @ Warinarco Park Elizabeth
9/24 4:30 pm @ Warinarco Park Elizabeth
10/16 4:00 pm UCC Championship @ Oak Ridge Park, Clark
10/24 4:00 pm UCIAC Championships @ Warinarco Park Elizabeth
11/2 9:00 am NJSIAA Sectional @ Thompson Park
11/9 9:00 am NJSIAA State Final @ Holmdel Park
11/16 9:00 pm Meet Of Champions @ Holmdel Park
SAILING: VARSITY
DATE EVENT OPPONENT
9/7 NJISA Sailfest Regatta TR Yacht Club
9/14 NJISA BTS Regatta TR Yacht Club
9/17 NJISA North Series #1 Perth Amboy
9/28 BBYRA Fall Invitational TR Yacht Club
10/1 NJISA North Series #2 Perth Amboy
10/5 MU Invitational Shrewsbury Yacht Club
10/9 NJISA North Series #3 Perth Amboy
10 /12 & 13 NJISA Fall Fleet Champs (Qualifier) TR Yacht Club
10/19 NJISA Autumn Challenge TR Yacht Club
10 /26 & 27 MASSA Fall Fleet Champs (Qualifier) TBD
10/30 NJISA North Series #4 Perth Amboy
11/2 NJISA North Turkey Bowl Regatta Perth Amboy
FOOTBALL: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
8/29 6:30 pm South Plainfield
9/6 7:00 pm Gov. Livingston
9/13 7:00 pm @ Johnson
9/19 6:00 pm Metuchen
9/27 7:00 pm @ Roselle
10/4 7:00 pm Middlesex
10/10 6:00 pm @ Verona
10/18 7:00 pm @ Bound Brook
10/25 7:00 pm Delaware Valley
BOYS SOCCER: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/5 6:30 pm @ Elizabeth
9/10 4:00 pm @ Roselle Park
9/12 4:00 pm @ Cranford
9/13 4:00 pm Cranford
9/18 4:00 pm Plainfield
9/19 4:00 pm Plainfield
9/21 10:00 am @ Delaware Valley
9/24 4:00 pm @ Oratory
9/26 4:00 pm Dayton
9/30 4:00 pm @ Union
10/2 4:00 pm Whippany Park
10/19 10:00 am Highland Park
10/22 4:00 pm Linden
10/26 2:00 pm @ Gov. Livingston
10/28 4:00 pm Summit
10/30 4:00 pm Johnson
GIRLS SOCCER: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/5 4:00 pm @ Summit
9/7 10:00 am @ North Plainfield
9/10 4:00 pm Rahway
9/12 4:00 pm Union Catholic
9/14 10:00 am Gov. Livingston
9/17 4:00 pm Kent Place
9/19 4:00 pm @ Union
9/24 4:00 pm Brearley
9/26 4:00 pm @ Roselle Park
9/28 2:00 pm Elizabeth
9/30 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
10/5 2:00 pm Johnson
10/7 4:00 pm @ Scotch Plains-Fanwood
10/10 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
10/24 4:00 pm Cranford
10/26 1:00 pm @ Ridge
10/30 4:00 pm @ Johnson
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/5 4:00 pm Cranford
9/6 5:15 pm @ Summit
9/9 4:00 pm @ Oak Knoll
9/10 4:00 pm @ Roselle Park
9/12 4:00 pm Bernards
9/16 4:00 pm Scotch Plains-Fanwood
9/18 5:30 pm @ Lindene
9/19 4:00 pm Dayton
9/20 4:00 pm Dayton
9/23 4:00 pm @ Union
9/25 4:00 pm @ Cranford
9/26 5:30 pm Oak Knoll
10/1 4:00 pm @ Scotch Plains-Fanwood
10/2 4:00 pm Roselle Park
10/7 5:30 pm Linden
10/9 4:00 pm @ Dayton
10/10 4:00 pm Union
10/16 6:00 pm Summit
10/18 4:00 pm Madison
10/21 4:00 pm @ St. Elizabeth
10/23 4:00 pm @ Roselle Park
10/28 4:00 pm Immaculata
GIRLS TENNIS: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/3 4:00 pm @ Kent Place
9/6 4:00 pm Westfield
9/10 4:00 pm @ Summit
9/12 4:00 pm @ Gov. Livingston
9/13 4:00 pm Oak Knoll
9/16 4:00 pm Kent Place
9/18 4:00 pm @ Westfield
9/20 4:00 pm Summit
10/1 4:00 pm @ Chatham
10/7 4:00 pm @ Oak Knoll
10/18 4:00 pm @ Gov. Livingston
10/21 4:00 pm Gov. Livingston
10/24 4:00 pm @ Oak Knoll
BOYS & GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: VARSITY
DATE TIME OPPONENT
9/10 4:30 pm @ Oak Ridge Park, Clark
9/17 4:30 pm @ Warinarco Park Elizabeth
9/24 4:30 pm @ Warinarco Park Elizabeth
10/16 4:00 pm UCC Championship @ Oak Ridge Park, Clark
10/24 4:00 pm UCIAC Championships @ Warinarco Park Elizabeth
11/2 9:00 am NJSIAA Sectional @ Thompson Park
11/9 9:00 am NJSIAA State Final @ Holmdel Park
11/16 9:00 pm Meet Of Champions @ Holmdel Park
The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (VACNJ) in Summit has hired Jordan Horton as its new curator. Horton joins VACNJ after time spent as an independent curator, working on exhibitions in both New York and Maryland. Prior to that, they spent three years as an Andrew Mellon Curatorial Fellow at Williams College Museum of Art where they curated, co-curated or contributed to exhibitions that included "Mirrored Interiors: Films by Cecilia Aldaronado" and "Searching for Sticky Voids." Horton graduated from Williams College/Clark Art Institute with an M.A. in Art History, Criticism and Conservation. Prior to that, they received a B.A. in Art History from DePauw University.
"I am thrilled to have Jordan join our team," said VACNJ's executive director, Melanie Cohn. "Their curatorial work fosters community, sparks public dialogue and celebrates the human experience. With a focus on accessibility and engagement, Jordan's vision showcases cutting-edge art and unites people in transformative ways, highlighting art's power as a catalyst for social change. Their ability to genuinely connect and make people feel at ease fosters meaningful interactions around art and ideas and as a talented curator, they bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the Art Center's museum program."
The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is at 68 Elm St. Visit artcenter. org for details.
ETownship officials in Berkeley Heights are asking residents to reduce household water usage during times of excess rain to help the sewer infrastructure keep up.
During times of heavy rains, flooding and high Passaic River levels, the local sewer system gets overwhelmed from groundwater surcharging into sewer pipes. Passaic River water and groundwater backs up into sewer plant infrastructure at the main plant.
“We often need to give water levels time to go down to decrease the pressure on our system,” according to township officials. “This is not just a Berkeley Heights problem, it is a national -- and even international -- problem in towns and cities with aging infrastructure. Sewer backups -- particularly in buildings with basement sinks, showers or toilets -- can occur in any town when we get this much water.”
Suggestions for actions residents can take include:
• Take shorter showers
• Reduce the amount of water used doing dishes
• Reduce how frequently you run the dishwasher and washing machine
• Reduce toilet flushing
• Do not use lawn sprinkler systems
“Essentially,” township officials requested, “please reduce water usage on anything with a drain. This effort is similar to when residents and businesses in any municipality are asked to do their part in reducing electricity usage during particularly hot summer days, to reduce the chances of experiencing electricity brownouts, or even blackouts, as the strain on the electricity grid increases with mass air conditioning usage.”
ach year, the Suburban Chamber of Commerce Foundation awards scholarships to a graduate of New Providence High School, Governor Livingston High School and Summit High School, for the students to use towards the costs of college.
Funding for the scholarship program comes from annual contributions from members of the chamber, Foundation fund raising efforts and additional donations from members of the public. All contributions are tax-exempt. For details, contact the chamber at 908-522-1700.
The area’s runners, walkers and families are asked to mark their calendars for Sunday, Sept. 15, when the Berkeley Heights-based Kimberly Ann Wilson Foundation hosts its annual 5K Race for Mental Health. The foundation honors Kim’s passion for helping students who struggle with mental health challenges, and funds raised will support mental health programs for local K-12 students.
The charity road race and fitness walk kick off at 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Field, 205 Plainfield Ave.
There is a $30 race fee,
plus a $3.75 sign up charge, and there is also a portal on the organization’s website, kawfoundation. org, for donations to the effort. For details, email kawfoundation@gmail.com.
A 1.5-mile family fun fitness walk steps off at 9:35 a.m., and the event also includes a tot trot, DJ, refreshments, art and animal therapy, a caricaturist and sensory activity tables.
General Plumbing Supply recently celebrated the grand opening of its fourth Kohler Signature Store, this one on Springfield Avenue in downtown Summit.
Joining CEO and Chairman David Kohler at a pre-event ribbon cutting with Mayor Elizabeth Fagan were guests who included Brian Maffia, Director of Showrooms; Judy Rogoff, Manager of the Summit Kohler store; Bruce Tucker, GPS CEO; Justin Freedman, GPS President; Suburban Chamber of Commerce co-chair Marcella Gencarelli; and Chamber board members Roxanne Giacalone and May Fridel.
The new Summit store features a range of kitchen and bathroom products in a variety of styles and finishes. Featured brands include Kallista Plumbing, Robern, Ann Sacks and Kohler custom vanities. For details, call 908-376-0030.
At an early August event that was part Cirque du Soleil and part the absolute best cocktail party you could ever even imagine, the former Grand Summit Hotel reopened its doors as The Albion at an event to which more than 1,000 people were invited.
Complete with acrobats, live music in multiple venues (including N.J.’s favorite cover band The Nerds), pyramids of Aperol spritzes and guided tours that took in the reimagined ballroom, a new movie theater, a whiskey bar and chandeliers the size of an SUV, guests enjoyed new owner Landmark Hospitality’s makeover of a hotel whose history dates to the 1800s. Back then, visitors came to the Hill City each summer to escape the ills of warm weather urban living and enjoy Summit’s fresh air and treelined streets. Now they’ll be attending weddings, fundraising galas, parties and other special events in the comfort of an establishment that offers every possible modern amenity – and then some.
The Albion’s Jeanne and Frank Cretella own and operate boutique hotels and architecturally-unique restaurants throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania including Whitehouse Station’s Ryland Inn, Village
Hall in South Orange and The Stone House in Warren. Their signature two-level restaurant in Summit will be Felina, modeled after Landmark Hospitality’s eatery of the same name in Ridgewood.
Past The Albion’s restored front doors, original leaded glass windows and newly-polished stone and wood floor, down the hallway past the elevators is an area the Cretellas call The Living Room, with multiple seating areas, tables and two glassedin conference rooms. The exposed brick walls boast art by the likes of Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, and the area has been designed to become what the hotel’s owners and staff say they hope will be space used by the entire community to work, to gather and to enjoy.
Future plans call for the planting of a 35-foot tree the Cretellas hope will be lit at the holidays and become a community focal point, a wellness studio, a spa, a recording studio, a pop-up sushi restaurant and Blackburn House, a gathering space designed to resemble a Mid Century home. It will replace the hotel’s 43 outdoor corridor rooms at the rear of the property that was one John Blackburn’s farm with a 9,000-square-foot area featuring 30-foot vaulted ceilings.
At the entrance to the hotel’s first floor restrooms is a tiled wall design that reads: “This Is The Place.” It isn’t wrong.
Summit Mayor Elizabeth Fagan, M.D., has launched a Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, part of a state-wide initiative to promote physical, mental and emotional well-being across all demographics. The mission is to help foster a healthier, more vibrant city by empowering residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to participate in activities that enhance their well-being.
“Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment that not only encourages active participation in wellness initiatives but also specifically promotes increased physical activity among our residents,” said Mayor Fagan.
Founding committee members include Chris Bonner, executive director of The Connection; Laura Geron, project manager of Quality & Patient Safety at Atlantic Health System; Susan Kaye, chair emeritus of the Department of Family Medicine at Overlook Medical Center; Paul Kieltyka, president and CEO of the Summit Area YMCA; Robert Rubino, M.D.; Carol Vargas, vice president of Integrated Health Care at Atlantic Health System; and Ann Zanelli, a nurse with the Summit Board of Education.
Committee work will focus on bridging gaps in health equity, ensuring that programs are accessible, culturally sensitive and tailored to meet the diverse needs of the community.
Recognizing the importance of community involvement, the campaign will foster partnerships across sectors including local businesses, schools and healthcare providers.
Residents are invited to visit the Wellness Campaign webpage via cityofsummit.org for information on how to get involved, upcoming programs and resources available to the community. The city has also introduced a staffled initiative to promote wellness within municipal operations, serving as a model for incorporating health-conscious practices in professional settings.
Mayor Elizabeth Fagan Summit
Hello, Berkeley Heights!
It has been a very busy summer! The Council and I are happy to announce that Berkeley Heights is the recipient of several more grant awards for infrastructure projects around town. They include:
- $1.27 million from the State of New Jersey “Safe Routes to School Program” for the “Safe Streets, Happy Feet: Berkeley Heights Mountain Avenue Sidewalk Project.”
- $71,000 from the State of New Jersey through a Local Recreation Improvement Grant for improvements to the Lower Columbia Fields.
- $250,000 in state aid from the State of New Jersey in the fiscal year 2025 budget for the Lower Columbia Turf Field Project.
The township has also been recognized for its commitment and support of the NJ Safe Routes to School Program and has received Silver status for 2024. While the municipality achieved Silver, most of the Berkeley Heights Public Schools (Woodruff, Hughes, Mountain Park and Columbia) maintained their Gold status..
Our road paving projects are underway, with many completed. The following roads were scheduled for early August: Orion Road, Cinnamon Tree Lane, Spice Hill, Swenson Circle, Hillcrest Avenue, Arden Court, Hamilton Avenue (dead end), Summit Avenue, Prospect Street and Summit Road. We also have many other road and infrastructure projects underway! Additional details are yet to be announced.
I hope you all enjoy the end of the summer, and I'll see you around town!
Mayor Angie Devanney Berkeley Heights
What a great summer it has been here in New Providence!
We have many wonderful family-friendly fall community events and upcoming activities planned, including the PBA Beefsteak Dinner, Car Show, Freecycle Event, Trunk-or-Treat, Downtown Trick-or-Treating and our annual Street Fair, just to name a few. Please check our borough website for all the details. We welcome and encourage everyone to come and participate!
We would like to thank our Director of Community Activities, Allison Smith, for her hard work in obtaining more than $1 million in grants for our Oakwood Park playground.
Thank you also to Congressman Tom Kean for securing a $500,000 grant for the Army Corps of Engineers to study the Passaic River and tributaries to help alleviate flooding.
The utility companies are continuing to upgrade our infrastructure. Over the past two years we have paved 88 streets. South Street water main repair
areas are scheduled to be paved in the spring. We appreciate your patience and understanding while this important work continues. We would like to remind everyone to utilize all pedestrian flashers when crossing streets. They alert drivers and can prevent accidents. When driving around town, please be mindful and use your directionals to help prevent traffic back-ups.
We are a team effort here in New Providence. Thank you to our outstanding Borough Council, our dedicated administration, employees and staff, all our very generous businesses, our selfless volunteers and to all of you for making our community such an incredible place to live and to work.
We look forward to seeing you around town and encourage everyone to please support local and SHOP NP! We wish everyone a safe, happy, and healthy Back-to-School and fall ahead. We are Pioneer Strong!
Mayor Al Morgan
New Providence
The Berkeley Heights Police Department this year marks its 100th anniversary. After the department was established in 1924, Chief Dominick Russo served as its first officer, laying the foundation for what has long been considered a strong and dedicated force in the community.
Chief Russo, the township's first full-time employee, dedicated 22 years of service as the sole full-time police officer, until 1946. Today, the department consists of 28 full-time officers and civilian support staff, all committed to upholding the department's rich history and serving the community with excellence.
Current BHPD Captain William Ives expressed his own excitement for the department's centennial milestone. To commemorate the occasion, he said this year's Memorial Day parade featured the officers marching behind a banner celebrating 100 years of service. In addition, an open house and celebratory dinner have been planned to honor both former and current members of the department.
Capt. Ives also announced officers will be unveiling a new police patch later this year, designed to commemorate the centennial.
The captain continued, “As we celebrate this momentous occasion, we reflect on the dedication and commitment of all those who have served in the Berkeley Heights Police Department over the past century. We look forward to upholding the values of integrity, service and community as we embark on the next chapter in our department's history.”
Summit's Repair Cafe event, hosted by Repair Cafe Garden State, will return on Saturday, Sept. 14, in Barnwell Hall at Christ Church from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christ Church is at 561 Springfield Ave., and items for repair will be accepted until 2:30.
Free repair services for this event will include computers, electronics, lamps, woodworking, bicycles, sewing/textiles, jewelry, knife sharpening and sewing machines. To ensure equal opportunities for all, each person may bring a maximum of two items for repair, and participants will be limited to one jewelry item.
Replacement lamps parts will be available at a nominal, atcost fee. Participants are asked by organizers to ensure you can carry your items unassisted when bringing them to the event.
No appointments are necessary, although wait times may vary as the Repair Cafe is not a drop-off service.
This event is co-sponsored by the Summit Area Green Faith Circle and Repair Cafe Garden State. For information about Repair Cafe Garden State and other free Repair Cafe events throughout New Jersey, visit repaircafe.org.
Repair volunteers are welcome at this event, as well as all future repair events. Those interested in volunteering are asked to reach out via the website contact form.
JAG Physical Therapy has opened a Summit location at 89 Summit Ave. The site will be led by Konrad Roslonek, PT, DPT, who has a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the CUNY Graduate Center of the College of Staten Island and a B.A. in Biology from New Jersey City University. “JAG Physical Therapy is excited to welcome new and existing patients to our Summit location,” said John Gallucci Jr., CEO. “The JAG Physical Therapy team is dedicated to expanding our presence in New Jersey and bringing our clinical expertise to the Summit community.” Taking part in a ribbon cutting celebration were Summit Mayor Elizabeth Fagan, members of Common Council, Suburban Chamber of Commerce Co-Chairs Marcella Gencarelli, David Dietze and JAG’s Mr. Gallucci, Kayla George and Michael Evangelist, among other members of the staff
New Providence was awarded a $74,000 Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) to aid in the re-development of the Oakwood Park Playground. The borough has obtained an estimate for the creation of an inclusive playground at Oakwood, and plans are to move forward with the project in 2025. An award from the State’s Green Acres Program is pending.
The LRIG grants were awarded to counties, municipalities and school districts across New Jersey to ensure public access to quality outdoor space and recreational facilities.
“The Borough of New Providence has always placed a high value on our parks and recreation facilities,” said Mayor Al Morgan. “The past four years have shed an even bigger light on the essential role that they play in the social and emotional well-being of our children and residents. We have many residents using our facilities for passive and active recreation, and we want to ensure that they are accessible for all.”
Local Recreation Improvement Grants support improvement and repair of public recreation facilities including parks, municipal recreation centers and local stadiums. LRIGs provide each recipient funding to help cover costs associated with updating community centers, playgrounds, pools, fields, walking or bicycle trails, rail trails, multi-sport courts and recreational facilities; project development professional services costs; equipment costs including playground and recreation facilities equipment; and environmental remediation costs required to prepare recreation sites for use.
