Millburn & Short Hills September 2024

Millburn & Short Hills

September 2024

ROCKTOBERFEST MUSIC WITH A MISSION

REFRESH YOUR WARDROBE AT BUNGALOW

LA PERGOLA

WELCOMES FALL

Local Champion Peter Serruto

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SEPTEMBER 2024

Contents

20

24

16

6 12 IN EVE RY ISSU E

10

4

Publisher’s Note

6

Around Town BITE-SIZED UPDATES

10 Q&A PROBLEM SOLVING CLOSE TO HOME F E AT U R ES

16

To the Big Leagues

As a player at one of the highest levels of baseball, Peter Serruto has a lot to reflect on, including the Millburn programs that helped get him started.

12

Local Tastes LA PERGOLA CELEBRATES FALL

32 Photo Op MILLBURN HISTORY

O N T HE COVER

20 Rocktoberfest

Peter Serruto and one of his former coaches, Brian Chapman of Millburn High School.

24 Bungalow Chic

PHOTOGRAPH PROVIDED BY THE SERRUTO FAMILY

The innovative music festival returns to Taylor Park to support local education programs.

Refresh your fall wardrobe with the help of Bungalow and its fashion-forward owner.

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Publisher’s Note Our September cover story reflects the perfect

PHOTOGRAPH BY MELISSA SPECTOR

ingredients that make up what we strive for at Millburn & Short Hills magazine: A notable community member benefiting from growing up in this town with its amazing volunteers and leaders in the school system. We would like to thank Peter Serruto and his family for sharing their story.

We know there are many more stories of budding stars in the making in our little town, and we would love to hear from you. It is journeys like Peter’s that inspire the children of Millburn.

This is your local publication, and we encourage you to share your unique experiences with the community. We are proud to shine the spotlight on those who deserve recognition while imparting informative and helpful content to readers every month. The September issue would not be complete without featuring a rollicking tribute to Rocktoberfest and the many educational programs it supports. School spirit will be singing from the stages, and we hope to see you there. The fall season and school year ahead is most certainly full of promise, but it is always a little hard to bid summer goodbye. A little refresh to the wardrobe often helps. We hope you enjoy our fall fashion piece featuring fun looks by Bungalow in town.

Let us know if you have a story you would like to share. Reach out to me at marylima@millburnandshorthills.com.

Mary Lima Publisher

Millburn & Short Hills MAGAZINE

Publisher Mary Lima Editor and Lead Writer Elaine Paoloni Quilici Art Director Sue Park Writers David Chmiel Jill Goldstein D.W. Hirsch Photographer Melissa Spector WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden VP, Group Publisher, Regional Thomas Flannery VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Creative Director Kijoo Kim Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer Operations Director Catherine Rosario Production Designer Chris Ferrante Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden Millburn & Short Hills magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Millburn and Short Hills, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.

Copyright 2024 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

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WHAT’S NEW

Around Town

BY STEVE GRILLO, Executive Director, Explore Millburn-Short Hills

After a long summer of events and programs, the team at Explore Millburn-Short Hills is starting to prepare for fall and winter festivities. In the meantime, here are some upcoming programs to look out for.

ROCK ON AT ROCKTOBERFEST Millburn has one of the top public-school districts in the state, and community participation and support is one of the reasons it is so highly regarded. The Millburn Education Foundation (MEF) is excited to once again present its annual Rocktoberfest fundraiser for the district on September 14 at Taylor Park (100 Main Street, Millburn). This vibrant music and arts festival will offer live music on three stages, a variety of local food options, shopping from talented artisans and vendors, a fun-filled kid zone, free fitness classes, a low-sensory zone for people with special needs and an Oktoberfest-inspired beer garden. See the magazine’s feature on Rocktoberfest this month to learn more.

Rocktoberfest has something to offer people of all ages. Photographs by Bruce Koplitz Photography

BUILDING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS Millburn for Climate Action will set up a table at Rocktoberfest on September 14 at Taylor Park (100 Main Street, Millburn) to share and swap native plants, educate residents on proper recycling and showcase student-led projects in the community.

The organization also recently developed native planters in partnership with Explore, runs the thrift store in town and is currently planning an Earth Day fashion show.

Millburn for Climate Action will set up a table at Rocktoberfest to share and swap native plants. Photograph by Millburn Climate Action, Native Plant Group

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‘HEAVEN AND EARTH’ AT GREENWOOD GARDENS Lyrica Chamber Music will present Twelfth Night Ensemble: “Heaven and Earth” at Greenwood Gardens (274 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills) on September 20 (rain date September 21). The evening will include the music of Handel, Purcell, Stradella, Veracini and others and feature Andrew Gonzalez on the rarely heard violoncello da spalla. Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to stroll through the garden before the concert begins. Enjoy wine and cheese served under the tent on the West Terrace at 6 p.m. before the concert starts at 6:30 p.m. $50 members; $55 non-members.

FOOD PANTRY AVAILABLE Millburn Township operates a food pantry for residents in need, mainly stocked with non-perishable foods. Access is available by appointment only. Food drop-offs can be made at the resident’s home or arranged for a more discrete local location. The pantry also accepts monetary donations, which are exchanged for gift cards to local supermarkets, then distributed to food pantry recipients. For more information, contact Ana Millan at 973-535-7961, ext. 7102, or amillan@millburntwp.org.

BE PREPARED FOR HURRICANES

Even though New Jersey is not a region that gets directly impacted by hurricanes often, it is important for residents and businesses to be prepared during hurricane season, which lasts through November. Explore offers a useful resource guide on the Explore Millburn-Short Hills website that provides important information about how to prepare properties for potential storm damage. For more information, visit www.exploremillburnshorthills.org/ resources.

Lyrica Chamber Music brings the music of Handel, Purcell, Stradella, Veracini and others to Greenwood Gardens.

Photographs by Lyrica Chamber Music

OPEN SPACE BALLOT MEASURE INFORMATION SESSION On September 24, the Millburn Environmental Commission will host multiple in-person information sessions regarding the Open Space Ballot Measure in November. All meetings will take place at the Millburn Library (200 Glen Avenue, Millburn), second floor auditorium, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

PICNIC AT THE LIBRARY The Millburn Free Public Library (200 Glen Avenue, Millburn) is excited to host its first community picnic on September 28, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., outside the library (rain date is September 29).

The afternoon is intended to celebrate the diversity that makes the Millburn and Short Hills community so special.

ABOUT EXPLORE MILLBURN-SHORT HILLS Explore Millburn-Short Hills is the 501(c)3 nonprofit established to support and promote businesses throughout the five areas of the Special Improvement District that was established in 2020. It organizes numerous events, musical performances, educational programs and networking events. The organization also is responsible for various public art and streetscaping projects in town, including the Millburn Art Alley

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Q &a

Enrichment for All A new education academy brings the art of problem solving close to home.

BY ELAINE PAOLONI QUILICI

INTERVIEW WITH

SHANIKA SEMEXANT-AUDIGE Campus director of the Art of Problem Solving Academy Millburn Campus

While many out-of-school academic programs accept only the best students, with “best” often defined by the highest test scores, the Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) takes a novel approach. The company began by publishing high-quality texts for students to enhance their math knowledge and has grown to include fifteen AoPS Academy locations and a variety of virtual learning options.

Above: Shanika Semexant-Audige, the campus director of the Art of Problem Solving Academy Millburn Campus. Photography provided by Shanika Semexant-Audige.

“Anyone who wants to study math or language arts is welcome at our campus,” says Shanika SemexantAudige, campus director of the AoPS Academy Millburn Campus (788 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills), which opened in mid-August. “Whereas other organizations restrict which children they serve based on their program, we focus on finding the course that best fits a child’s needs.”

Semexant-Audige discusses the opening of the newest AoPS Academy location in town and what it means to the community.

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What areas does AoPS focus on?

Our roots are in math because we’ve noticed that problem solving, while a transferable skill across all subjects, is best illustrated in teaching math. Over the last decade, most winners of the USA Mathematical Olympiad have been AoPS students, as well as the US team members who won the International Math Olympiad in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. We have courses that prepare students for competition math that draw from premier middle school contests such as MATHCOUNTS and the American Mathematics Competitions 8, as well as high school contests like the American Mathematics Competitions 10 and 12, American Invitational Math Exam, the Harvard-MIT Math Tournament and other major high school contests.

However, math is not where our curriculum ends. We have an intentional focus on cultivating 21st-century skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and creative reasoning across subjects.

Are there certain types of students who benefit most from your services?

Every student benefits from our services. We don’t want to turn anyone away because there are different ways we can accommodate our students. The students we typically attract are highly motivated and looking to learn math or language arts in a different way. The goal is always to be challenged. Our placement tests are the first stepping stone[s] in our ability to build out an effective plan for our students.

Why was Millburn-Short Hills chosen as a location?

Many families in Millburn, Short Hills and the surrounding area use our curriculum. Some would travel over an hour to our Princeton location to receive in-person instruction because that was the closest site. That level of determination—the (literal) drive to see their children receive instruction that challenges and excites them—is palpable in this town. We go where we are called.

What are some techniques you use to teach kids?

What stands out about the students and families of Millburn and Short Hills?

We center student voices through robust classroom discussions, projects and presentations. In addition, we offer a variety of ways for students to approach a problem—it could be through a game, a puzzle, a standard problem, a visual and/or a story.

The students and families of this area have an unwavering commitment to education. The numbers don’t lie.

In various sources, Millburn has been named one of the top educational districts in New Jersey. We aim to aid in that reputation.

Elaine Paoloni Quilici is a freelance lifestyle writer and editor based in Verona. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, amNewYork, New Jersey Monthly and Mommy Poppins.

SEPTEMBER 2024

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LOCAL TASTES Pappardelle with white Alba truffle is a popular fall dish at La Pergola.

A Menu to Fall For La Pergola prepares its new seasonal menu, featuring the return of hearty flavors and textures.

BY ELAINE PAOLONI QUILICI

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF LA PERGOLA

From left to right: Among La Pergola’s fall dessert options are fig tart and tiramisu.

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Left: Owner/executive chef Driola Kaloshi and her husband opened La Pergola 14 years ago.

Right: A simple, elegant dining room décor sets the mood for guests.

Driola Kaloshi is used to making

things from scratch. Fourteen years ago, the owner/executive chef of La Pergola and her husband, Agron, decided to open their first restaurant, and the Northern Italian eatery has delighted its patrons with authentic cuisine, an elegant atmosphere and exceptional service ever since.

Putting Customers First As businesspeople, Kaloshi and her husband had to evaluate where their customers would come from when deciding where to launch their venture. With a fondness for the town of Millburn and the space’s proximity to Paper Mill Playhouse, they decided to open at 120 Essex Street.

“Many of our customers come from Paper Mill,” Kaloshi says. “I personally love that theater so much. We used to go there to watch shows with our kids all the time when they were little.”

In addition to theatergoers, many of La Pergola’s customers are locals and regulars, with some dining at the restaurant up to four times a week, according to Kaloshi.

“We’re very blessed as a business,” she says.

After knowing her customers for 14 years, the chef tries to create dishes based on what they want.

“If a loyal customer asks me for something, I order the ingredients, and

it’s there for them on a future visit,” she says. “If someone says, ‘I was just in Siena and had this dish. Can you make it for me?’ I absolutely would make it for them.

Everybody has their own taste. That’s what makes our community interesting.”

Authentic Inside and Out The Kaloshis created an atmosphere that’s ideal for leisure yet upscale dining. The main room is comfortable and airy, with big windows and spaced tables. It is a welcome place to experience special occasions, including a milestone celebration or a date night.

The restaurant also offers a picturesque outdoor patio that stays open, weather permitting, sometimes until November.

Reminiscent of an Italian piazza, the space is accented by lush greenery and adorned with wisteria vines and string lighting.

Its seasonal fine dining menu rotates to showcase the freshest ingredients, seafood and meats across lunch, dinner and dessert.

The restaurant also offers handmade pastas and desserts.

“I make everything from scratch,” Kaloshi says. “All the pastas are homemade. We don’t freeze anything. All the desserts are homemade. I do everything myself, with the help of my staff.”

This fall, Kaloshi will once again

incorporate seasonal items such as squash; wild boar; braised meats, such as osso buco, short ribs and lamb shank; and hearty pastas into her menu. She will offer eggplant lasagna, broccoli rabe ricotta gnocchi and butternut squash ravioli. She also will revive the restaurant’s popular pappardelle with white Alba truffle.

“That one is a big hit,” Kaloshi says.

“The truffles that I get from Alba, Italy, have a very short season, from October to December.”

To cap off the dining experience, desserts this season will include fig tart, vanilla bean panna cotta and classic tiramisù.

Whether it’s for an appetizer, entrée or dessert, Kaloshi tries to source her ingredients from local vendors. She used to buy all her vegetables at the farmers market in Millburn before it closed. Now she frequents the one in Summit.

“Vising a farmers’ market in fall is absolutely a joy,” she says. “Picking up pumpkin and butternut squash, apples and pears that are in season is a chef ’s heaven.”

A heaven in which diners get to share.

Elaine Paoloni Quilici is a freelance lifestyle writer and editor based in Verona. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, amNewYork, New Jersey Monthly and Mommy Poppins.

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From Local Fields to the

Big Leagues

Peter Serruto and others follow their baseball dreams, thanks to the Millburn programs that got them started.

BY DAVID CHMIEL

It’s baseball. You win some, you lose

some, and some get rained out.

Peter Serruto, catcher for the Yankees’ Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, knows that well. During a recent rain delay against the Philadelphia Phillies’ Lehigh Valley IronPigs, he contemplated growing up as a baseball player in Millburn.

“I got called up to Scranton about a month ago,” Serruto says. “Now here I am in Triple-A, playing for the organization I

grew up cheering for. It’s such a cliche to say it’s a dream come true, but how else can you describe living this life?”

The young man playing a kid’s game for a living attributes the Millburn-Short Hills Youth Baseball (MSHYB) program for building his toughness, skills and love of the game. He also thanks his parents, Mark and Ellen, and his siblings, Mark Paul, Dana, John and Jamie, for creating a competitive and nurturing environment at home. John also played collegiately as a second baseman

for Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

“My uncle John Serruto and Kevin Ford were great coaches when I played for MSHYB,” he says. “They were tough but taught us that we had to earn everything.

The program is highly competitive, consistent and well-structured. We learned how to play the game the right way and how to be a good teammate.”

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE SERRUTO FAMILY

Opposite: Peter Serruto (center) celebrates with his high school teammates Richie Schiekofer (left) and Connor Lally (right) after winning the state championship in 2017. Top left: Peter Serruto is thrilled to be playing for the organization he grew up rooting for. Photo

by Cheryl Pursell/Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Top right: The baseball field is home to the Serruto family, including Jamie, Ellen, Peter and Mark (left to right). Left: Peter Serruto learned the fundamentals of baseball in the Millburn-Short Hills Youth Baseball (MSHYB) program. Above: Peter Serruto joined the Yankees as a minor league player for the Double-A Somerset Patriots in 2023 and now plays for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Photo courtesy of the NY Yankees.

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Left: Peter Serruto (left) takes time to pose with one of his biggest fans, brother Mark Paul (right). Photograph courtesy of the Serruto family.

A Tradition of Excellence Millburn’s homegrown talent has been riding high lately. In addition to Serruto, Steven Echavarria, a 2023 Millburn High School alum, was drafted in the third round out of high school as a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics’ Single-A affiliate, the Stockton Ports.

Behind all this success is MHS head coach Brian Chapman. Since he started in 2011, Chapman has compiled a 278-98 record. He has led MHS to six sectional titles, five conference titles and two Group 4

state championships. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame.

Chapman had an eye on Millburn baseball before he was coach at MHS. “When I was an assistant coach at Cranford High School, from 1999 to 2010, I identified one job that I would leave Cranford to pursue—Millburn High School,” he says. “I remember reading about the incredible success of MSHYB in those little blurbs that The StarLedger would run, and I felt that

because of that success, the MHS job was one to chase.”

Chapman says he was even more impressed with the youth program after he saw it close-up.

“The success of our high school program can be traced to the incredible coaching the kids receive in their formative years, from 8 to 14 years old,” he says. “Guys like Tim Carroll, John Serruto, Jim Pittenger, Kevin Ford and Ted Bourke create a winning culture that is grounded in the fundamentals so that when players arrive at the high school, it’s just a matter of maintaining, not introducing, these winning concepts.”

Chapman is thankful for and proud of the fact that there is a connection between the success of MSHYB and the high school program.

“Sadly, in many towns, the better players leave for club teams at an early age and then many opt for private schools,” he says. “Because of MSHYB’s iconic coaches, our kids stayed home and went to MHS, allowing us to build a publicschool program that has remained competitive year in and year out, and produced a large number of college and professional players.”

Serruto wants to be sure that his high school coach gets his share of

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

the credit, too.

“Coach Chapman just has some magic to him,” he says. “He was great to play for because he always made us feel like he cared. I remember one stretch where I was slumping really bad. Here I was, the best player on the team. They needed me, and I was stressed.

Coach came to me and said, ‘I am not asking you to go nine-forseven.’ It made me laugh and relax, and I got back on track.”

Hard Work Pays Off Upon graduating from MHS, Serruto played baseball at Rutgers University, then transferred to Indiana University. After a string of ups and downs, he signed as a free agent to play for his favorite organization. In less than a year, he moved up from the Double-A Somerset Patriots—where he lived at home—to the RailRiders.

“I was able to make the quick jump to Triple-A because of my work on defense,” he says. “We

have a lot of catcher depth, but I am getting noticed for my defense and approach to the game. I create detailed scouting reports, learn about our pitchers by catching bullpen sessions and suggest how to call the games based on what their stuff looks like that night.”

In addition to Serruto’s strong work ethic, his older brother, Mark—or Mark Paul, as he is known—has greatly impacted his approach to the game and life. Mark Paul lives with autism, Serruto says.

“He is the funniest person I know. He’s just a big teddy bear.

He’s my best friend. He doesn’t care if I didn’t throw a guy out or went 0-for-4. Of course, baseball is how I make my living, and I am a competitor. But being with Mark Paul gets me out of my head and helps me stay humble, grateful and hungry.”

This is the “Millburn way” and is what Chapman says helps every player succeed.

Top left and bottom: After graduating Millburn High School, Peter Serruto continued to grow as a player at Indiana University. Top right: Peter Serruto’s strong work ethic and humble attitude have helped him get to where he is today.

Photo by Cheryl Pursell/Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

David Chmiel is a freelance writer in South Orange. He also was a MAPSO Villagers baseball coach whose teams had many battles with the Millburn program.

SEPTEMBER 2024

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Rocktoberfest RETURNS

Local music festival draws young and old to help support educational programs in town.

BY JILL GOLDSTEIN

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRUCE KOPLITZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Clockwise from left: Attendees of Rocktoberfest 2023 enjoy a day of entertainment that supports local schools. This year’s event will feature live musical performances again from an impressive lineup of musicians. Local artisans sell their wares at Rocktoberfest in 2023. Small businesses will return this year to offer locally made, hand-crafted pieces for purchase.

Local residents and Millburn

Education Foundation (MEF) trustees Micole Cohen Richter and Joanna ParkerLentz were committed to raising funds for the Millburn Township School District but were growing weary of the same old events year after year. One evening, as they brainstormed for a fresh idea, they were able to think outside of the box and get creative.

“Fundraisers are typically for adults,” Richter says. “But we wanted to bring kids

into it and make it fun for the entire family.”

Parker-Lentz, whose children played in local bands and were familiar with the surrounding music scene, thought a music festival seemed like a natural fit. What started as a simple battle-ofthe-bands concept quickly evolved into Rocktoberfest, a family-friendly music festival that now attracts 5,000 attendees and raises more than $200,000 each year for the MEF.

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Local residents and Millburn Education Foundation trustees Joanna Parker-Lentz (left) and Micole Cohen Richter (right) are the creators of Rocktoberfest.

Bridging the Gap The MEF is a nonprofit organization that operates as a bridge between the community and the Millburn Township School District. Its goal is to provide enhanced learning opportunities for students. Since it was founded in 1993, the group has awarded more than $3.5 million dollars to educational programs.

Each of the eight local public schools and their educators can apply for grants for special programs that reach beyond what the schools cover on their limited budget.

“The truth is that 85% of the revenues raised from taxes covers the teachers’ salaries, administrative costs, insurance and benefits,” Parker-Lentz says. “That leaves very little for other programs. PTOs [parent teacher organizations] help with individual classroom needs. But we address needs on a more global level, working with the school district and the board of education and administration to approve grants for programs that meet educational requirements and have longevity beyond one school year. Over the past two years, we have received requests and approved grants

for over $600,000.”

The programs these grants have funded over the years are nothing short of remarkable. The Millburn Robotics team, which ranks first in the country, is supported by one of the grants. The MEF pays for the group’s equipment, including a 3-D printer to make protective eyewear for competitions.

A grant to Millburn High School’s “real world” math program enabled life skills students to gain experience navigating real-life obstacles. Another grant paid for middle schoolers to see “Fiddler on the Roof ” at Paper Mill Playhouse following the October 7 attacks on Israel, which included speakers from different backgrounds providing their perspectives to allow for peaceful communication and selfexpression regardless of their beliefs.

Most recently, MEF grants paid for the revision of the Millburn television studio, a state-of-the-art room for high school students to record podcasts, web series and videos. The high-tech equipment is also used to record sporting events, performances and the high school graduation ceremony for parents who cannot attend in person.

Students run the entire operation.

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Left: Live music was a staple of last year’s Rocktoberfest.

Above: Rocktoberfest offers fun for the whole family, including a beer garden, kid zone and fitness zone, as pictured here from last year’s event.

Putting the ‘Fun’ in Fundraising This year’s Rocktoberfest will return to Taylor Park (100 Main Street, Millburn) on September 14 from noon to 10 p.m., and will feature more than 30 bands playing on multiple stages throughout the day and into the night. A variety of entertainment is sure to appeal to people of all ages.

Younger audiences can enjoy a kid zone with inflatable rides, carnival games, face-painting and more. For those looking to break a sweat, a fitness zone will have a lineup of free classes throughout the day hosted by local gyms, yoga studios and athletic facilities. Adults 21 and over can enjoy an authentic beer garden that will include a VIP section for Millburn alumni, with private bathrooms, shading and water.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase to all, along with merchandise made by local artisans.

Attendees with sensory differences

and limitations who might welcome a quieter, less-crowded experience can visit the low-sensory zone. Formerly offered in the rose garden, this relaxing space with low lighting will now be located inside the Bauer Center, far from the noise of the bands outside. Activities in this space will include a silent disco, where participants are given headphones and dance to their choice of music offered by a DJ, and a Special Olympics exhibition game.

Brand-new this year is an additional acoustic stage at Boxcar Bar and Grill at the Short Hills train station, easily walkable from the Glenwood neighborhood.

In addition to the music, there will be restaurant offerings and kid-friendly activities such as face-painting, magic and chalk art.

“Pop your kids in a stroller, walk over there, have something to eat or drink and let the kids have fun,” Parker-Lentz says.

“You can even walk back home for naptime and come back later.”

People also have the option of hopping on NJ Transit and traveling one stop to enjoy the action between Millburn and Short Hills.

Local business and generous donors help sponsor the event.

“Not only is it a fundraiser for the school system, but it’s also a community event that brings people together to enjoy music and support local restaurants and artisans,” Richter says.

Those interested in supporting the MEF can make donations on Rocktoberfest’s website (www.rocktoberfest. millburnedfoundation.org) and in person at the festival.

Jill Goldstein raised her four children in Short Hills and currently lives in South Orange with her husband, Eric, and two dogs, Izzy and Otis.

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This menswear-inspired windowpane vest and pants set, worn by a Bungalow model, can be dressed up or down.

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY MELISSA SPECTOR PHOTOGRAPHY

A model shows off a long striped dress outside the boutique.

Bungalow Chic Eve Golden offers timeless, one-of-a-kind fashions at her local boutique.

BY D.W. HIRSCH

A visit to Bungalow (353 Millburn Avenue, Millburn) is like an adventure.

As shoppers weave through the casual, rustic-chic displays, they can peruse a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind clothing and jewelry. And every visit is different, because once the limited pieces on display sell out, new styles come in.

Owner Eve Golden opened the doors to Bungalow 15 years ago. She started her business based on her keen visual creativity that shoppers sense simply by walking into the store.

The laid-back decor features antique wood tables and thrift store crates, all configured and organized with care.

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Classic Yet Bold Like the unique atmosphere, Bungalow offers timeless clothing to last more than one season. Customers also can search for additions to their apparel that will be relevant next year and the year after. Golden offers classic looks by offering specialized creations. She partners with international creators from Los Angeles and Spain. For example, Rails and Freemarket are two brands she carries that you won’t find in big department stores.

“I get maybe six pieces of a style, and then I move on,” Golden says. “It’s a small town, and I don’t want everyone looking the same.”

The entrepreneur chose Millburn as her store’s location in 2009 because she felt at home in the downtown community filled with mom-and-pop shops and few national chains. After studying fashion and merchandising in college and working for years in the corporate fashion and beauty world, she wanted a relaxed place that was 100% her vision.

Bungalow’s racks are filled with short white sweaters and long striped dresses, tan flare pants and snug flowered tops—every piece personally curated with Golden’s eye for style.

A menswear-inspired windowpane vest and pants set is one example of the versatile clothes she offers. The classic straight tailored pants are clean and sleek and pair well with a sweater or silky top under the matching navy vest for a sophisticated look.

The vest’s feminine shape can be coordinated with a pair of lifestyle sneakers and ripped jeans for a more casual look.

Golden believes classic denim is a wardrobe staple that can also be easily dressed up or down. One of her most popular styles features a high waist and loose fit. Customers love them because they tend to flatter all body shapes. Because of this, Golden has had to reorder them three times.

“I think everyone wants to appear put

Top: Eve Golden opened her Millburn Avenue boutique in 2009. Middle and Bottom: Whether you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe or buy a gift for someone else, Bungalow offers a smart mix of clothing and accessories.

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together and not like they’re trying so hard,” she says.

This fall, the bomber jacket is coming back with a bang. Golden’s twist on the sporty jacket is her ivory tweed version; the color and texture elevate its level of sophistication. Though it can be worn as a light layer for fall as an outerwear piece, many women are donning it as a blazer.

Price Conscious Golden doesn’t want someone to fall in love with one of her shirts or sweaters only to have to put it back because of the price.

She has seen that happen in stores, and she doesn’t want her customers to have to think deeply about a purchase. Bungalow’s prices are consumer friendly, with most clothes priced below $100. Quality fabric and patterns at this price point can be difficult to find, so Golden curates her items with careful attention and thoughts of her customers in mind. She inspects every element to choose her products wisely.

“The most important priority to me is to buy right, making sure I’m thinking about the customer and their lifestyle,” Golden says.

In addition to apparel offerings, the owner carefully selects a wide variety of fashionable, wellpriced accessories.

This allows visitors to shop across a range of price points if they want to add something small to finish off an outfit they already have.

Golden also works with local artists from Maplewood and Short Hills, and she even makes necklaces herself. Golden’s 11-year-old daughter also crafts a line of beaded bracelets, Parker’s Pieces, which are available for less than $10. The pieces have attracted a new clientele of young girls who know what they want and will continue shopping at Bungalow as they get older.

Most accessories are priced below $50.

Above: A Bungalow model wears the store’s soft twist on the bomber jacket. Left: Most accessories are priced below $50 at Bungalow.

Because of this, the store is also a goto destination for affordable gifts. It offers staples such as charm necklaces and stud earrings, in addition to fun pieces. They often sell out quickly and are replaced with another new collection, which makes visits to Bungalow fresh each time.

“When I see women come out from the back and check themselves in the mirror and they have this little grin on their face, I know they know

they look good and are never taking it off,” Golden says. “My looks are trends that are not saturated with the trend. They are timeless.”

To tap into Golden’s favorite fashions this season, follow Bungalow on Instagram @ bungalow_boutique.

D.W. Hirsch is a feature writer based in Union.

She is the author of the memoir “Star Trek, Mom and Las Vegas: A Grand Adventure” and a haiku collection “Haiku In The Life Of You.”

SEPTEMBER 2024

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PHOTO OP

Take a trip down memory lane with The Millburn–Short Hills Historical Society’s online archive. Here you’ll find virtual treasures such as images of old postcards, advertisements, photographs and other interesting memorabilia.

This vintage photograph depicts the Vaux Hall Inn. Owned by Julius and Charles Wittkop, the building was once

the home of Israel D. Condit before it was converted into an inn. In the mid1930s, the structure was demolished, and a Woolworth’s 5 & 10 store was built on the site. Today, the space at 325 Millburn Avenue is occupied by Goldberg’s Famous Deli.

Here, the inn is decorated for Millburn’s semi-centennial celebration on

April 13, 1907. Most likely, the porch was used as a viewing stand for local and invited dignitaries to watch the parade.

According to the Newark Evening News, the parade route followed Millburn Avenue to Main Street, up Hobart Avenue to Short Hills Avenue to Morris Avenue in Springfield and returned along Main Street to Millburn Avenue to the firehouse.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MILLBURN–SHORT HILLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Old Millburn Captured in Time

Have a great image for Photo Op? Submit your high-resolution shot to editor@millburnandshorthills.com.

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