Rooted in the Revolution CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250TH
Shorter
Smaller
Minimal
Faster
Nationally
Collaborative,
Collaborative,
15 Rooted in the Revolution
History buff and reenactor Bob Gula enlightens locals and helps the township celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
20 More Than Meets the Eye
See the world in a new light with ophthalmologist and Short Hills resident Dr. Eric Mann.
24 The Gift of Presence
Local 16-year-old Zara Doshi is reshaping how the community thinks about hospice care.
IN EVERY ISSUE
4 PUBLISHER’S NOTE A Shared Purpose
6 AROUND TOWN Turning the Page
8 LOCAL TASTES Chew on This
10 Q&A Shop Talk
30 BOOK NOOK Chapter Two
32 PHOTO OP The Streets Were Singing
COVER
Revolutionary War reenactor Bob Gula
Photograph by Antonietta Henry
A SHARED PURPOSE
FFROM REVOLUTIONARY War
battlefields to the intimacy of hospice care, this month’s issue centers on one idea: how we show up for others reveals who we are as a community.
As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Millburn is stepping into its own place in that history. With celebrations honoring the Battle of Springfield and the stories that helped shape our town, residents are being invited to look back while standing firmly in the present. Through the work of local historian Bob Gula and the township’s community-wide efforts, history becomes something we share and carry forward together.
That same sense of purpose takes on a deeply personal dimension in the story of Millburn High School junior Zara Doshi. In spaces so often defined by loss, she’s found real meaning in connection, turning hospice care into a platform for empathy and advocacy. Her work is a reminder that impact sometimes starts with the simple, powerful act of just being present.
We also get to know ophthalmologist Dr. Eric Mann, whose path in medicine reflects both legacy and innovation. From a childhood moment caring for his grandfather to building a practice genuinely rooted in community, his work restores quality of life. Through his leadership and the creation of the online platform Lucens, he’s helping reshape how physicians navigate the realities of modern medicine, extending his reach well beyond the exam room.
Together, these stories paint a portrait of a community shaped by care across generations, disciplines, and moments both large and small. Whether it’s preserving history, sitting beside a patient, or restoring someone’s sight, each one reflects a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves.
As you turn the pages, we hope you’ll take a moment to consider how your own story connects to the people and places around you and the role each of us plays in shaping what comes next.
We’d love to hear how these stories resonate with you. Please share your thoughts and ideas at marylima@millburnandshorthills.com or editor@millburnandshorthills.com.
Email the editor: editor@millburnandshorthills.com
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 2026 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIA MALOOF VERDEROSA
Turning the Page
The contributions of Explore Millburn-Short Hills are celebrated as the organization embraces change.
AFTER FIVE transformative years
at the helm of Explore Millburn-Short Hills, Executive Director Steve Grillo is stepping down, marking the end of a chapter defined by resilience, growth, and deep community connection. Grillo, who will be taking on a new role running a similar business improvement district (BID) in Bergen County, leaves behind an
BY STAFF WRITER
organization that has evolved into a vital force for local businesses.
Reflecting on his tenure, Grillo emphasizes that his next opportunity is rooted in the work he was able to accomplish in Millburn. “This next step in my career wouldn’t have been possible without what we built here,” he says. “And what we built here was only possible
because of the incredible support from this community.”
A CHALLENGING START
Grillo assumed leadership in May 2021 during one of the most challenging periods in the township’s recent history. The COVID-19 pandemic still loomed large, the previous BID had dissolved, and commercial vacancies hovered at 16%. Tasked with launching a nonprofit from the ground up, he faced the dual challenge of establishing infrastructure while delivering immediate results.
Then, just months into his role, disaster struck. Hurricane Ida devastated Downtown Millburn on Sept. 1, 2021, and it became the defining moment for the fledgling organization. In collaboration with the Township Committee, Explore distributed $420,000 in relief funds to 75 local businesses. The response cemented the organization’s role as a critical support system.
“We were tested early,” Grillo recalls. “But that moment showed what this organization could be—an essential partner for businesses when they need it most.”
MAKING A MARK
In the years that followed, Explore found its footing and identity. Signature initiatives such as Girls’ Night Out were revitalized, while new programs like the Winter Villages and Millburn Art Alley brought fresh energy to the community. The organization expanded its digital presence and strengthened partnerships, steadily building momentum.
By 2024, that momentum had translated into measurable success. The organization achieved Main Street New Jersey designation (one of only 29 towns in the state to have one) and national accreditation, secured a $150,000 Main Street New Jersey grant, and raised more than $50,000 in
After five years as executive director, Steve Grillo says goodbye to Explore Millburn-Short Hills.
sponsorships for two consecutive years. Additionally, it helped more than 25 businesses access New Jersey Economic Development Authority incentive programs, bringing more than $520,000 in direct funding to the local economy.
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
Despite these accomplishments, Grillo acknowledges that challenges remain. As the business landscape continues to evolve, he stresses the importance of sustained support and forward-thinking leadership. “Explore has to keep asking tough questions,” he says. “It needs to help businesses navigate uncertainty, take smart risks, and provide real expertise when it matters most.”
Beyond all the metrics and milestones, Grillo’s departure is also a deeply personal moment. His connection to Millburn extends beyond his professional role—his family has grown alongside the community he has served. “To do this job well, you have to truly love the place you’re working for,” he says. “This community gave my family something special. My kids grew up here, and that’s something I’ll always carry with me.”
As Grillo prepares to move on, he leaves behind an organization with a strong foundation and a clear sense of purpose—one that is built not just on programs and funding, but on relationships, trust, and community spirit. ABOUT EXPLORE MILLBURN-SHORT
HILLS
Explore Millburn-Short Hills is the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created to support and promote the businesses throughout the five areas of the Special Improvement District that was established in 2020. Explore organizes numerous events, musical performances, educational programs, and networking events. The organization is also responsible for various public art and streetscaping projects in town, including the Millburn Art Alley and Town Hall Plaza.
Top right: Sonia Margalef of Compass Realty, Steve Grillo, and Olena Grigoryeva of Teen Skin
Bottom left: Steve Grillo with Stephan Elbaz of Interior Motif
Chew on This
From pillowy mochi donuts to Koreanstyle cheese hot dogs, Mochimoly has something to satisfy your cravings.
BY STAFF WRITER
IF YOU HAVEN’T discovered Mochimoly yet, consider this your official introduction. The sweet (and savory) spot brings something refreshingly different to the world of donuts and beyond.
MOCHI MAGIC
At its core, Mochimoly is a destination for mochi donuts, and that combination is exactly as good as it sounds. Mochi
donuts sit at a delicious crossroads between the chewy, pillowy texture of Japanese mochi (a doughy treat made of rice) and the familiar form of a classic donut. The result is something that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh at the same time—lighter than a traditional donut, with a subtle chew.
Mochimoly’s flavor lineup is where things get really fun. The shop offers an impressive range that covers all the bases and will make your taste buds light up. The classics are done right—chocolate, strawberry, and plain for those who know what they like and don’t need any convincing. Cookies and cream delivers the beloved Oreoinspired richness in a completely unexpected format. Churro brings warm, cinnamon-dusted comfort that somehow works even better in mochi form. For the more adventurous, matcha and taro offer a subtle, earthy sweetness that has earned a devoted following for very good reason. S’more—
gooey, toasted, and worth every bite—rounds out a menu that has something for everyone at the table.
SAVORY SENSATIONS
Mochimoly isn’t just a donut shop; it also serves Korean-style cheese hot dogs that are stretchy, melty, and
wrapped in a lightly fried coating. This corn-dog twist is a street-food staple done right. The hot dogs can be ordered plain or customized with novel toppings such as potato, hot Cheetos, or ramen, which feels like an experience rather than just a side thought.
Rounding out the menu is a Bulgogi Rice Bowl that brings a savory, satisfying anchor to what might otherwise feel like a purely indulgent outing. Tender, marinated beef over rice serves as comfort food with intention behind it.
What Mochimoly understands better than most other eateries is that people want variety, quality, and a little bit of fun all in the same place. A multi-note concept, the menu is built for sharing, mixing and matching, showing up hungry, and leaving genuinely happy.
Mochimoly is located at 315B Millburn Ave. in Millburn. For more information, follow @mochimoly_millburn.
Shop Talk
Podcaster Rowan Freeman defines the town’s small business community and why supporting it matters.
BY STAFF WRITER
INTERVIEW WITH ROWAN FREEMAN
ROWAN FREEMAN, a rising highschool junior, is the voice behind “Shop Talk” (shoptalkpodcast.org), a podcast that highlights local businesses and the people who run them. Through his interviews, he explores the stories, challenges, and relationships that shape the town’s small business community. Here, he offers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating the episodes.
How do you think being a high school student shapes the kinds of conversations you’re able to have?
Being a high-school student allows me to have honest conversations
that might not happen in a more formal setting. I appreciate the advice and life lessons the store owners share with me. They are open about the importance of working in any service-centered job, whether it’s washing dishes or answering phones. Ryan Harris from The Standard shared how any role in a restaurant can be invaluable for a young entrepreneur.
When you listen back to your conversations, what elements tend to linger with you afterward?
When I listen back to my conversations, the things that linger most are the life lessons and advice the entrepreneurs share, like when Peter Falzo, the owner
of Vinnie’s talked about trying everything as a young aspiring entrepreneur. Hearing about the challenges they had to overcome to get where they are reminds me that success comes with setbacks, persistence, and learning along the way.
How has spending time with these business owners shaped the way you notice everyday life in Millburn and Short Hills?
Spending time with Millburn business owners has changed my perspective on local businesses. I now recognize the challenges they’ve faced in building their businesses and how the risks they’ve taken have shaped where they are today. As a result, I’ve made a commitment to support these small businesses by shopping locally rather than going out of town.
What did you learn about the customer-owner relationship that you hadn’t really considered before?
I didn’t realize how personal and deep the relationships between shop owners and customers could be. Shala Powell from Shala’s shared how moms would leave $20 with her in case their child walking through town needed cash. Marc Hausman from Footnotes stopped in the middle of our interview to greet a customer and ask if they found everything they were looking for.
How do different business owners define ‘community’?
Each business owner I’ve spoken with has talked about how their business could not have survived without the Millburn and Short Hills community. They are grateful for the relationships they’ve built over the years and how those relationships are the foundation of their success. For them, success comes not only from financial achievement but from the relationships that make them feel fulfilled and happy.
What have you noticed about how people talk about success versus how they actually experience it?
Andrew Morgan from Millburn Deli and Sam Eckstein from Springbone both shared how the most important things they learned in business came from on-the-job experience, not a classroom. They explained that there is no predictability to success and that it requires flexibility and commitment. They also emphasized that you can’t plan for every challenge along the way.
What feels most important to capture when you’re telling someone’s story?
It’s most important to capture the personal stories behind the business—how they started, how they pivoted, and how they persevered. I also focus on their motivations, challenges, and values. I loved hearing how Vinnie’s was inspired by Peter’s uncle and how his goal is to bring people together through a shared love of food.
How do you think your generation fits into the future of places like the ones you feature?
I think my generation will play a significant role in the future of these local businesses. We can bring new technology and fresh ideas while continuing to support local shops. I hope that, through platforms like my podcast, we can build appreciation for Millburn businesses so they continue to thrive with the support of the next generation.
Opposite page: Rowan Freeman is the host of the local small business podcast ‘Shop Talk.’
Top right: Rowman Freeman with local business owners: (top row) Marc Hausman, Shala Powell and her daughter Vicky Powell, and Shala Powell; (bottom row) Peter Falzo, Ryan Harris, and Andrew Morgan
Bottom right: Rowan Freeman with his parents, Amy and Hank Freeman
Rooted in the Revolution
History buff and reenactor Bob Gula enlightens locals and helps the township celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
BY ANTONIETTA HENRY
Bob Gula at Millburn’s Hessian House, which legend has it housed two Hessian deserters during the Battle of Springfield
TTHE 250TH ANNIVERSARY of our country has sparked celebration plans all over the United States. The Township of Millburn has a full schedule this season, and rightly so. Millburn holds a special place in Revolutionary War history, highlighted by its connection to the Battle of Springfield. This summer, locals are ready to celebrate the rich history of the town and our country.
LOCAL LEGACY
Bob Gula is a familiar face to local historians. A resident of Short Hills for almost 30 years with his wife, Shelley, the father of five spent his
career in mortgage and investment banking. These days, he’s usually at a podium or in front of a classroom, in full Revolutionary War garb.
Gula has been passionate about history since childhood. His father took the family on vacations that included Civil and Revolutionary War battlefields, which “planted the seeds in my mind,” he says.
“I dove headfirst into researching my ancestry, which opened up a Pandora’s box of information on not only my family, but the history of our area,” he continues. “Three of my grandparents were of Eastern European descent, and the other, my
paternal grandmother (Beach), ended up having deep American roots. All of this led me to a greater appreciation of the sacrifices and hardship faced by our local forebears during the 18th and 19th centuries.”
Gula felt the best way to share the historical information he had gathered was to spread the word through schools, historical societies, and libraries. He began lecturing in elementary schools and to the general public over four years ago. “During that time, I have given history performances to over 3,000 people throughout New Jersey and recently conducted my 102nd lecture,” he says.
EXPLORING CONNECTIONS
Gula’s roots in Revolutionary War history run deep. “I have seven direct ancestors who fought in the American Revolution, and many other indirect family members who also served,” he says. “Five of these men were members of the Morris and Sussex County Militia, one was in the New Hampshire Militia, and one was a Hessian soldier in the von Rhetz Regiment of the Brunswick Army. The latter was captured at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. As a prisoner, he was indentured to an American soldier and eventually ran off with the gentleman’s daughter.”
With such strong connections in his own family lines, it’s no wonder Gula is a member of many historical societies, including the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the General Society of Mayflower
Above: Bill Lillis, parent education coordinator, drug-free workplace coordinator at Hessian House with Bob Gula and Kristina Sternesky
PHOTOGRAPH BY ANTONIETTA HENRY
Left and bottom right: Scenes from the May 30 reenactment PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF KRISTINA STERNESKY
Descendants. He is trustee and treasurer of the Forgotten Victory Trail Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history and local heritage of the Battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms.
“These two battles were the last major battles of the American Revolution that were fought in the northern United States, and they took place right in our backyard,” Gula says.
Gula also encourages locals to explore American history beyond the township’s borders. On July 4, he will be participating in the Mantoloking 250th celebration down the shore. “People don’t realize it, but the Jersey Shore was a brutal hotbed of privateering and civil war during the American Revolution,” he says. “My advice: Take the time to experience the history of this area during the 250th.”
HOMETOWN CELEBRATION
Millburn Public Information Officer Kristina Sternesky says the township is prepared to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary. Millburn 250 Committee members include Jamie Serruto, Ben Stoller, Township Business Administrator Alexander McDonald, Daniel Cannon, Dorothy Kelly, Annette Romano, Joanna Parker-Lentz, Katie Cannon, and Jackie Benjamin Lieberberg. The 4th of July Committee includes Jamie Serruto, Philippe Zimmerman, Paul Graves, Corey Biller, James Cofer, Daniel Cannon, Bill Brazell, Ellen Serruto, Eric Chan, Mike Seifer, Jordan Katz, and Jeremy Sokop.
“On May 30, Millburn 250 hosted ‘Millburn 1780: Revolutionary History Comes Alive,’ a Battle of Springfield reenactment featuring the 3rd NJ Regiment ‘Jersey Blues’ for a day of demonstrations and interactive activities at Taylor Park, and a presentation of the Battle of Springfield by Bob Gula,” Sternesky says.
The festivities continue on July 4, with a flag raising at 9 a.m. at Taylor
Park followed by the annual Patriot Award Ceremony, presented to the Parsil family honoring its Revolutionary War heritage. There will also be a Bike, Trike & Stroller Parade, face painting, a DJ dance party, train rides around the park, and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The fun culminates with fireworks on the Millburn High School football field, with DJ entertainment and food and ice cream trucks.
Millburn is excited for the celebrations. “For Millburn Township, commemorating America’s 250th is not only about honoring the nation but celebrating our community’s role in the shaping of its vast history,” McDonald
says. “The Battle of Springfield, which was fought in 1780 right here in what is modern-day Millburn-Short Hills, marked one of the final major engagements of the war in New Jersey. These celebrations help us connect to our past and honor the resilience, spirit, and civic pride that have carried this township through to today while inspiring future generations.”
Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four, and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography in Pompton Plains. She enjoys exploring and learning more about towns throughout her home state of New Jersey.
Opposite page: Bob Gula educates students on the local history of the area.
Right: The Forgotten Victory Trail kiosk in Taylor Park, produced by the Forgotten Victory Trail Association, the Township of Millburn, and the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society
More Than Meets the Eye
fSee the world in a new light with ophthalmologist and Short Hills resident Dr. Eric Mann.
BY ANTONIETTA HENRY
FOR OPHTHALMOLOGIST Dr. Eric Mann, medicine is a family affair. “My grandfather was a dentist, and three of my uncles are physicians,” he says. “I grew up wanting to follow that path.”
It was helping to care for his grandfather after cataract surgery that led him to pursue ophthalmology. “I was just 5 years old, and helping my grandfather put his eye drops in was a profound bonding experience,” Dr. Mann says. “Even at 5, I could feel how powerful and life-changing eye surgery was. That stayed with me.”
Dr. Eric Mann of Eye Associates of North Jersey
Dr. Mann eventually shadowed his Uncle Fred, an ophthalmologist in Miami. “After one of his patients had their sight restored, they looked at my uncle and said, ‘Las manos de Dios,’ the hands of God,” he remembers. “The power of giving someone their sight back, and what that means to a person’s life, is what made me certain this was my calling.”
REALIZING HIS PASSION
Dr. Mann earned his undergraduate degree at Duke University, attended medical school at the University of Rochester, and fulfilled an internship at Greenwich Hospital and an ophthalmology residency at New York Medical College.
“I joined my current practice—
Eye Associates of North Jersey in Dover—in 2005, a practice with deep community roots, having been founded in 1974,” says Dr. Mann, who has been a proud resident of Short Hills since 2009. “I became a partner in 2007, and after a wonderful transition with the founding senior partner, I became the sole owner in 2012. Inheriting something with that kind of history and legacy is something I don’t take lightly.”
VISIONARY CARE
The ophthalmologist is also passionate about helping fellow physicians. “After years in practice, I kept seeing brilliant physicians who sacrificed a decade of their lives to master medicine then found themselves completely
unprepared for everything that surrounds it,” he says. “The contracts, overhead, staffing, financial decisions, and the burnout—nobody teaches you that.”
This inspired Dr. Mann to build Lucens, “a physician community and education platform dedicated to the business of medicine,” he says. Lucens members learn through articles, live webcasts, courses, and peer discussions with physicians experiencing similar obstacles.
“What makes it especially meaningful to me is our premium members earn accredited continuing medical education (CME) credits, the mandatory annual learning requirement every licensed physician must complete,” Dr. Mann says.
Matt Askinazy is the expert in the optical shop.
“They’re not sitting through another checkbox compliance course. They’re finally learning what they were owed from the start and getting their CME credit doing it.”
MEETING PATIENTS’ NEEDS
In addition to receiving quality care, Dr. Mann’s patients have the ease of ordering their eyeglasses in-house. Matt Askinazy, a licensed optician and the head of the optical shop, is happy to help patients find the right frames and share what’s on trend.
“Matt has his finger on the pulse in a way I can only admire,” Dr. Mann says.
Askinazy notes that AI-integrated frames are very popular: think Ray-Ban Meta glasses and Oakley Meta AI glasses, where technology is built right into the frame. “It’s a fascinating convergence of eyewear and wearable tech that is only going to grow,” he says.
Above: Dr. Eric Mann with his daughter Liv; wife, Jennifer; and daughter Emily PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE MANN FAMILY
Below: The optical shop at Eye Associates of North Jersey
If fashion is your priority, large, chunky, and colorful frames are all the rage. “Bold shapes, rich colors, real personality,” Askinazy says. “It’s not just the luxury brands driving it. Patients are gravitating toward anything fun and expressive, regardless of the label. Eyewear is having a fashion moment again.”
Dr. Mann finds it rewarding that he and his team are able to provide excellent care, improve vision, and improve the quality of life for so many patients. What’s at the core is the love of his work. “I literally walk out of exam rooms saying to myself that I have the best job in the world,” he says. “I never have the Sunday gloom. I’m happy when Monday comes because it means I get to go back to doing what I love and helping people. That feeling never gets old.”
LIFE IN FOCUS
In his spare time, Dr. Mann is all about family. “My wife, Jen, is the heart of our family,” he says. “She allows me to work and serve my patients while making sure the family is best served by her.”
The pair have two daughters, Olivia (Liv) and Emily, “the joy of everything we do outside of work,” Dr. Mann says. They enjoy traveling and exploring the world together. “Travel recharges me completely while grounding our kids in the fact that so many people live different lives and experiences,” he says.
The doctor enjoys playing tennis and prides himself in being a devoted Duke basketball fan—“for better or worse, depending on the season,” he jokes. He also enjoys taking walks with the family dogs, Teddy and
Cameron, especially on the beach. After a long day of work, he always looks forward to unwinding at home in Short Hills. “The town has given my family something I don’t take for granted: a safe, inclusive place to raise my kids and watch them grow and thrive,” he says. “There’s also something special about having the best of both worlds—the warmth and stability of suburban life with New York City right at your doorstep and everything it has to offer. It’s a genuinely special place to call home.”
Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four, and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography in Pompton Plains. She enjoys exploring and learning more about towns throughout her home state of New Jersey.
Frames for days
The Gift of Presence
Local 16-year-old Zara Doshi is reshaping how the community thinks about hospice care.
BY EVE GOLDEN
Zara Doshi has been volunteering since she was 13 years old and founded the Hospice Club at Millburn High School when she was a freshman.
iIN A REALITY OFTEN
overshadowed by the inevitability of loss, Millburn High School junior Zara Doshi finds unexpected beauty in hospice care volunteering, discovering how the power of connection can transform grief into a life of purpose.
“I have always felt a deep pull toward patient care,” Doshi says. “There’s something about being present for someone when they need it most that just felt natural to me.”
That instinct found a path for Doshi at just 13 years old, when she became the youngest volunteer at Grace Healthcare Services, one of New Jersey’s largest hospice providers. In 2025, she was named Volunteer of the Year. Although recognition was never the point, what stayed with her
were the patients—their stories, their loneliness, and the often-invisible emotional weight of aging.
As a freshman, Doshi founded the Hospice Club at Millburn High School, an unusual move for a ninth grader and even more unusual in its subject matter. “I wanted to highlight how we tend to forget about our elderly,” she explains. “Despite everything they’ve done for us, there’s often a lack of respect and visibility when it’s our turn to take care of them.”
The club quickly grew, both in membership and in purpose. Through guest speakers, student initiatives, and outreach, Doshi created a space where conversations about death, dignity, and care were explored openly.
She also brought those ideas to
Millburn’s Speech and Debate team, delivering original oratory speeches about what she calls the “hidden dangers of the modern elderly loneliness epidemic.” “Holding a patient’s hand through hospice is a powerful way to reduce isolation and restore dignity,” she says.
A COMMUNITY MOVEMENT
What began as a school club soon expanded beyond campus. Doshi leaned into community partnerships, organizing fundraisers and awareness campaigns that connected local businesses, families, and students. She coordinated bake sales, invited professional speakers, and partnered with local fitness studio F45 for a fundraiser that raised $900.
She also organized Millburn’s first community-wide raffle fundraiser. “I spent weeks going into downtown Millburn, introducing myself, and following up,” she recalls. “In the end, it was incredibly meaningful to see so many local businesses come together for a community-centered cause.”
The effort paid off, raising over $750 for hospice patients and their families, but more importantly, it shifted awareness. The event is still talked about among students months later, a sign that Doshi’s work is sticking.
Her most ambitious project came this year hosting a Hospice Awareness Panel at the Millburn Board of Education Center. Featuring nurses, a social worker, a volunteer coordinator, and a spiritual counselor, the event aimed to demystify end-of-life care. “I wanted to expand the conversation beyond students,” Doshi says. “To create a space where families could learn and ask questions openly.”
More than 30 attendees attended the
Left: Zara Doshi appeared before a panel at the Board of Education Center.
Below: Zara Doshi (second from right) meets with members of the Millburn High School Hospice Club.
event, ranging from high schoolers to parents and neighbors. For Doshi, it marked a turning point. “I was overwhelmed at first,” she says. “But by the end of the evening, I felt a strong sense of pride in what I had built.”
REDEFINING HOSPICE
For all the organizing and advocacy, Doshi is clear that what matters most are the patients themselves. She keeps a personal “hospice journal,” documenting moments that are often small but deeply affecting: a woman in her 90s sharing stories of her husband’s survival during the Holocaust, a 100-year-old former engineer who worked on the Manhattan Project, a Spanish-speaking patient who greeted her with warmth and familiarity. “She would call out, ‘Hola, ven aqui!’ every time I passed,” Doshi says. “I’d tell her how beautiful she looked, ask if she was in pain, and we’d talk about her family. She would pull me into a hug and kiss my forehead and hands.”
One relationship, though, stands at the center of Doshi’s journey: Ms. Ruth, an 85-year-old patient living with late-stage dementia. Over two years, Doshi and her father visited Ms. Ruth regularly, witnessing the joy and the disorientation that defined her days. “On her good days, she was the happiest, funniest woman,” says Doshi, whose journal captures flashes of Ms. Ruth’s humor and clarity—a wink, a joke, a
sudden burst of affection. “Once she whispered, ‘Oh, I really love you,’ while holding my hand,” Doshi shares.
But there were also harder moments; days when confusion turned into fear. “One time, she started shaking and crying, begging me to stay,” Doshi says. “Holding her hand through those moments changed me. It expanded my empathy in a way I can’t fully describe.”
Even now, reminders of Ms. Ruth linger—in her favorite chocolate-chip cookies, songs, and everyday details. “I carry her with me daily,” Doshi says.
EXPANDED HORIZONS
Doshi’s experiences have shaped not just her worldview but her ambitions. Exposure to neurodegenerative diseases sparked a growing interest in neuroscience, leading her to participate in research programs and publish work on Parkinson’s disease. She’s considering a future in public health, with plans to become a physician, someone who can bridge direct patient care with broader systemic change. “I want to ensure everyone receives the quality of care they deserve,” she says.
This summer, Doshi will take another step toward that goal through an internship with Grace Healthcare Services, working alongside a full care team and gaining a deeper understanding of how hospice functions on a systems level.
Still, as she looks ahead, Doshi remains focused on what she’s built in her community. She’s already planning for the future of the Hospice Club, expanding outreach, strengthening partnerships, and preparing new leaders to take over when she graduates. Her work is about continuity of care, compassion, and showing up. And sometimes it’s as simple as sitting beside someone, reaching for their hand, and staying.
Above: Zara Doshi organized Millburn’s first community-wide raffle fundraiser to raise money for hospice patients and their families. Bottom left: Zara Doshi takes time to paint a patient’s nails.
Chapter Two
The Book House has a new home on Millburn Avenue, and its curated shelves are lined with your next favorite read.
BY EVE GOLDEN
RAISING HARE: A MEMOIR
By Chloe Dalton
When Chloe Dalton stumbles upon a newborn hare in the English countryside during lockdown, she never imagines it will change her life. What ensues is an extraordinary friendship—the hare roaming free by night and returning to her side by day, completely on its own terms. This is a beautiful, unexpected story about wildness, connection, and knowing when to hold on and when to let go.
SISTERS IN YELLOW
By Mieko Kawakami
Just 15 years old, scraping by, and longing for something more, Hana’s world shifts the moment the magnetic Kimiko walks into it. Together, they build something unexpected in the backstreets of Tokyo, where a shabby little bar called Lemon becomes a haven full of friends, possibility, and the intoxicating feeling of finally belonging somewhere, even when the dream doesn’t turn out the way you planned.
DAISY JONES & THE SIX
By Taylor Jenkins Reid
Everyone knows the band’s name, but nobody knows the whole story. Set against the glittering excess of 1970s Los Angeles, this vividly drawn novel follows the legendary rise of rock’s most iconic fictional band, and the one night that brought it all crashing down. Explore the era, the music, and the complicated chemistry between two people who were probably never supposed to meet.
TARTUFO
By Kira Jane Buxton
An unlikely mayor and a bartender with dangerously strong espresso add character to a tiny Italian village that has seen better days. When a local truffle hunter stumbles upon something extraordinary beneath the soil, the sleepy town of Lazzarini Boscarino gets a shot at hope, something it hasn’t seen in a very long time. This story is funny, surprisingly moving, and bursting with charm.
To learn more about these books and discover other top sellers, stop into The Book House at 321 Millburn Ave. in Millburn, visit thebookhousemillburn.com, or follow the shop on Instagram and Facebook at @thebookhousemillburn.
Agents at Weichert Realtors for 19 years, including 2024! #1 Ageents in Essex County for 14 years!
RECENT
Agents at Weichert Realtors for 19 years, including 2024!
Ageents
Millburn and Short Hills
for 19 years, including 2024! #1 Agents Nationally at Weichert Realtors for 19 years, including 2024! #1 Agents in Essex County for 14 years!
Realtors for 14 years!
Agents at Weichert Realtors for 14 years!
#1 Agents in Essex County for 19 years, including 2024!
#1 1 Agents in Millburn / Short Hills for 19 years, including 20244!
#1 Agents at Weichert Realtors for 14 years!
#1 Agents in Essex Couunty for 19 years, including 2024!
Short Hills. Asking $3,588,000. Lane, Mendham.
Sherwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000. #1 1 Agents in Millburn / Short Hills for 19 years, including 20244!
#1 Agents in Essex Couunty for 19 years, including 2024! 123 Highland Avenue, Short Hills. Asking $3,750,000.
Highland Avenue, Short Hills. Asking $3,750,000.
Highland Avenue, Short Hills. Asking $3,750,000.
THE STREETS WERE SINGING
BY STAFF WRITER
PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE recently brought one of Broadway’s most beloved classics roaring back to life. “West Side Story,” the reimagining of Romeo and Juliet set against the gritty backdrop of 1950s New York, ran from May 31 through June 28, closing out the Tony Award-winning regional theater’s current season in spectacular fashion.
Directed by Paper Mill’s own Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, the production featured a dynamic mix of emerging talent and seasoned stage veterans. Noah Henry and Sarah-Anne Martinez captivated audiences as the star-crossed
Tony and Maria, while Mikaela Secada brought fiery energy to the role of Anita. The show was backed by a live 19-piece Paper Mill orchestra under Music Director Ben McNaboe, a rarity that elevated every iconic Leonard Bernstein melody to new heights.
With lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents, and Jerome Robbins’ original choreography preserved, the production delivered all the passion, heartbreak, and electrifying dance audiences hoped for. It was a fitting, unforgettable finale to a memorable season.
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