Issuu

Millburn & Short Hills

NOVEMBER 2026

THE EDIT

A CURATED SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

REDUCE YOUR STROKE RISK

SIDDHARTH MEHTA, MD

Soulful Spaces ARCHITECT JORGE MASTROPIETRO

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Contents NOVEMBER 2026

20 F EATU RES

The Considered Space

Architect Jorge Mastropietro builds holistic spaces designed to nourish the human soul. 20

A Fresh Edit

With a discerning eye and a love of discovery, Natalie Thomas brings a new retail experience to Millburn. 24

Neurologist Siddharth Mehta moves stroke care and prevention beyond the hospital through SEVHA.

24 8

More Than Medicine

I N EVE RY I S SUE

PUBLISHER’S NOTE Embracing Home

AROUND TOWN Festive Favorites

LOCAL TASTES Wanna Eat?

Q&A Brick Reilly

BOOK NOOK Gift and Gather

PHOTO OP Local Leaders

COVER

Architect Jorge Mastropietro at home Photograph by Antonietta Henry

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PUB LISH ER’S NOTE

AS MANY OF us prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, it’s natural to think about home, family, and community. This month, our cover story features Jorge Mastropietro and his visionary approach to architecture. Raised in Buenos Aires, he was influenced by his father’s engineering expertise and mother’s artistic sensibility. Jorge’s innovative designs seamlessly integrate sustainability and aesthetics, redefining modern spaces with a nurturing touch.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIA MALOOF VERDEROSA

EMBRACING HOME

Whether you’re looking for a way to welcome guests into your home or head out for some early holiday shopping, make sure to stop into The Edit. Natalie Thomas revitalizes retail in town with this fun new boutique. Drawing from her media background, she has curated a store that mirrors her personal style and ethos. By championing small and women-owned brands, Natalie has created a unique shopping experience where fashion meets community, inviting exploration and connection. We also spotlight Siddharth Mehta, a neurologist whose dedication to stroke care and prevention is transforming healthcare. Through SEVHA, Siddharth promotes vascular health accessibility and proactive wellness, offering a comprehensive approach to community well-being. These narratives highlight the transformative power of vision and perseverance. They remind us how individual passion can lead to significant impact and innovation within a community. We hope these stories inspire you as much as they have inspired us. Enjoy the issue, and remember to share your thoughts and ideas with us at marylima@millburnandshorthills.com or editor@millburnandshorthills.com. Warm regards,

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MAGAZINE

Publisher Mary Lima marylima@millburnandshorthills.com Editor and Lead Writer Eve Golden editor@millburnandshorthills.com Writer Michelle Lemieux Photographer Antonietta Henry

WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden SVP, Group Publisher, Regional Thomas Flannery VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Creative Director Kijoo Kim Art Director Rosemary O’Connell Executive Editor Elaine Quilici 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

Mary Lima

Publisher millburnandshorthills.com @millburnshorthills_magazine

Have a story idea?

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Millburn & Short Hills

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.

Email the editor: editor@millburnandshorthills.com

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The Physician Behind DRG Aesthetics

Evidence, artistry and a different approach to aesthetic medicine Walk into DRG Aesthetics on Bloomfield Avenue and you’ll find something different from the typical medspa experience. There are no hard-sell treatment packages or trendy procedures pushed on every patient. Instead, you’ll find a beautiful physician-led practice and a doctor who believes that sometimes the best treatment is no treatment at all. “My patients come to me because they want to look like themselves,” says Dr. Gerstman, the board-certified family physician who founded DRG Aesthetics. “Not like a filter. Not like someone else. Just like a rested, well-cared-for version of who they already are.”

A Physician First Dr. Gerstman has practiced medicine since 2004, with a background spanning family medicine, women’s health and aesthetic medicine. That medical foundation shapes every aspect of her approach. “Aesthetics is medicine,” she explains. “You’re injecting biologically active products into a face full of blood vessels and nerves. That deserves the same rigor as any other medical decision.” Every consultation begins with a medical history, including medications, hormonal status, previous treatments, lifestyle and individual goals. Just as importantly, Dr. Gerstman wants to know what a patient doesn’t want. From there, she develops a personalized plan based on what is medically appropriate, rather than simply recommending a menu of treatments.

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Beauty Begins With Whole-Woman Health

Biostimulators: Building Better Skin

For Dr. Gerstman, aesthetic medicine begins long before injectables. Sleep, nutrition, exercise and hormonal health all play an important role in how a woman looks and feels.

When aesthetic treatments are appropriate, biostimulators are a cornerstone of Dr. Gerstman’s philosophy. Treatments such as Sculptra and Radiesse work differently from traditional fillers, encouraging the body to produce collagen and improving skin quality, elasticity and subtle volume over time.

“The most important aspect of external beauty is internal health,” she says. “You cannot inject your way out of poor nutrition, no exercise, and untreated hormone deficiency. Fix the foundation first.” Her approach is particularly focused on women navigating perimenopause and menopause. Hormonal changes can affect skin, muscle, bone and metabolism, making comprehensive care an important part of the conversation. “I treat the entire woman. Inside and out,” Dr. Gerstman says.

“This is the treatment I wish more women in their 40s, 50s and 60s knew about,” she says. “Especially women in the menopause transition, when collagen loss accelerates.” The goal is regeneration rather than an overfilled appearance. When performed thoughtfully, the results can be subtle: firmer-looking skin, softened shadows and a more refreshed appearance without changing the character of the face. Because biostimulators require careful product selection, placement and patient selection,

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Dr. Gerstman considers them a physician-level treatment requiring experience and precision.

A Thoughtful Approach to Fillers Traditional hyaluronic acid fillers also have a place at DRG Aesthetics, but Dr. Gerstman uses them selectively. “HA is structural support, and only when necessary,” she says. “It’s a tool, not a lifestyle.” Rather than chasing every wrinkle or adding unnecessary volume, she focuses on restoring structure when there is genuine volume loss that another treatment cannot adequately address. Her philosophy is simple: less is often more. “I’m not building faces that don’t belong to the patient in front of me.”

The Art of the Lip One area where Dr. Gerstman’s aesthetic artistry is particularly distinctive is lip enhancement. Her goal is not to create a standardized shape, but to refine each patient’s natural anatomy. “A lip is not a shape you draw on someone. It’s a structure you refine within their existing anatomy,” she explains. The result is intended to be soft, proportioned and natural, taking into account the individual’s facial structure, smile and movement. The goal is enhancement that looks like the patient — simply refreshed and beautifully balanced.

A Woman-Centered Practice DRG Aesthetics has become a practice particularly focused on women in midlife who want thoughtful, individualized care. “Women in their 40s, 50s and beyond are among the most underserved patients in medicine,” Dr. Gerstman

says. “What they need is a physician who understands their physiology, respects their goals, and treats them as whole human beings.” That philosophy carries through every patient interaction. Consultations are unhurried. Treatment plans can be staged over time. And patients are told honestly when a treatment may not be right for them.

Your First Visit New patients begin with a consultation, not a syringe. Dr. Gerstman reviews medical history, discusses goals, evaluates the skin and facial structure, and explains appropriate options, evidence and realistic outcomes.

Dr. Gerstman, Board-Certified Family Physician Specializing in Aesthetic

There is no pressure to make an immediate decision. “My job is to give you good information — and, when it’s the right thing to do, to take care of the whole woman, not just her face.”

DRG Aesthetics 307 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 201 Caldwell, New Jersey Medicine and Women’s Health since 2004 Book online: drgerstman.com

Call: 201-704-9429

Instagram: @drgerstmanNYC

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AROUND TOWN

Stop into Millburn’s new store The Edit for curated clothing, accessories, décor, and gift collections. PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMIE MEIER

FESTIVE FAVORITES Shop local for a chance to win gift cards and other prizes this holiday season. BY MICHELLE LEMIEUX THE HOLIDAY SEASON is such a

busy time for shopping, and Millburn and Short Hills have so much to offer. From fashion and accessories to beauty and wellness treatments, home goods and unique gifts, our local businesses make it easy to find something for everyone while supporting the places that make our town so special. Shopping locally is about more than just checking items off a list. It’s a chance to find a new favorite store, come across something you wouldn’t have found online, get personal recommendations, and enjoy the experience of shopping close to home. Whether you’re looking for a gift, picking up something for a holiday

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Shala’s Boutique offers a variety of gifts, clothing, jewelry, and home décor items.

gathering, or finally treating yourself, there’s plenty to choose from right here in town. A WIN-WIN EXPERIENCE As part of the holiday season, Explore Millburn-Short Hills is bringing back its highly successful contest, Santa’s Mailbox, which debuted last year to encourage shopping local. Anyone who purchases an item from a retailer in Millburn or Short Hills (excluding The Mall at Short Hills) from Nov. 23 through Dec. 31 can submit their receipt for a chance to win a variety of gift cards and prizes. Receipts can be sent by email or placed in specially marked envelopes (available at participating stores at their discretion) then dropped in dedicated red mailboxes throughout downtown Millburn. Every purchase is an opportunity to enter, making holiday shopping a little more rewarding. Full details are available on the Explore website. “The mailbox contest is a great way to encourage people to support our local businesses while making shopping and dining in the district even more fun,” says Vicky Powell, owner of Shala’s Boutique, located at 358 Millburn Ave. “My customers love

it because every visit gives them another chance to enter the raffle and possibly win a gift card. It’s a great marketing tool that brings people through our doors, introduces them to businesses they may not have visited before, and reminds everyone how important it is to shop small and support our local business community.” SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY When you shop local, your purchases have real impact. Your money helps employ area residents, supports town events, and contributes to the overall character of Millburn and Short Hills that makes us love where we live. By keeping shopping dollars close to home, our businesses can continue to grow and serve our town throughout the year. So before heading online or out of town, take a look at what’s right here in Millburn and Short Hills. Visit the stores you already love, check out a few you haven’t been to yet, and make a point to support the businesses and people behind them. Shop local this season. Your purchases make a difference, and you might just win something along the way.

Michelle Lemieux is a freelance writer and communications/PR executive and founder of Radiancy Communications. She is interim executive director for Explore Millburn-Short Hills and co-leads the nonprofit Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors. A born-and-bred Jersey girl, she resides in Livingston with her husband and two daughters.

ABOUT EXPLORE MILLBURNSHORTHILLS Explore Millburn-Short Hills is the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established 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.

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LOCAL TASTES

Wanna

EAT? Priya and Shaleen Prakash connect customers with chefs offering personalized meals, catering, and private dining.

BY STAFF WRITER FOR PRIYA AND Shaleen Prakash, the idea behind WannaEat came from a very familiar problem: the question of how, exactly, dinner is supposed to get on the table at the end of a long workday. Before launching the company, the founders built long careers in banking then fintech. “We both spent 11 years at Capital One, taking on increasingly senior and demanding roles while learning to work backward

Above: Shaleen and Priya Prakash (center) with their daughters Below: WannaEat offers everything from easy weeknight meals to catered gatherings and private chef experiences.

from a North Star, to be steadfast on the vision while remaining flexible on the details,” Priya says. They also learned from experiences that translated directly into entrepreneurship, including being customer centric, building strong technology products, leading teams, and having the grit to see things through. They then poured all that wisdom into creating their own business.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER? Like many dual-career couples, the Prakashes were living a version of the same daily scramble as everyone around them. They were commuting into New York City, often spending 90 minutes each way on NJ Transit “on a good day, and there weren’t many of those,” Priya says. By the time they returned home, there was not much time or energy left to cook.

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF PRIYA PRAKASH

As they talked with friends, the same frustrations kept surfacing. People wanted meals that reflected their tastes, used authentic flavors, and felt like something they would make themselves if they had the time. At the same time, independent chefs were already out there, capable of doing exactly that, but the space felt scattered and difficult to navigate. While walking around South Mountain Elementary School, they noticed a quote on the message board: “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” The encounter was a turning point. “It made us realize we could either keep talking about the problem or do something about it,” Priya says. “We chose the latter. WannaEat was born from that moment.” A SEAT AT THE TABLE Leaving behind stable, successful corporate careers was not easy, but the couple found perspective in their family history. Both of their fathers’ families lost everything during the 1947 Partition of India and had the strength to rebuild from scratch. “I love to say, ‘courage before confidence,’” Priya says. The couple also did their homework. Before launching, they spent time speaking with both chefs and customers. “We saw a real need on both sides: Chefs wanted a way to monetize their talent, and customers wanted better, more personal culinary experiences,” Priya says. “That gave us the conviction to take the leap.” Early on, without any built-in infrastructure, everything rested on Priya and Shaleen. They had to figure out technology, chef onboarding, customer experience, and delivery, all while solving the marketplace puzzle of attracting enough chefs to interest customers and enough customers to make the platform worthwhile for chefs. “We spent a tremendous amount of time listening to both sides,” Priya says. That feedback shaped their product and their business model,

and over time, WannaEat grew into a marketplace where chefs can build real businesses and customers can find everything from everyday meals to private chef experiences and catered events. BUILDING THE PLATFORM The company’s growth has been matched by an emphasis on quality. Every chef on the platform is vetted, which includes a taste testing of three to five of their dishes. Each chef also must have a food handler certificate. A ratings and review system adds another layer of accountability. “We are intentional about holding a very high bar,” Priya says. “The lowest-rated chef on the platform is currently a 4.9 on a scale of 5.” With more than 100 chefs, WannaEat now offers a wide range of cuisines and formats. Priya describes it as “the one-stop shop for all your culinary needs.” But what makes the platform especially compelling is its flexibility. “If you can vocalize it, our chefs can bring it to life,” she shares. One of WannaEat’s fastest-growing categories is private chef experiences, which the company is making more approachable and less rigid than the traditional model. The Prakashes, who moved to Millburn from Richmond, Virginia, in 2017, say the town quickly felt like the right fit. “Millburn was a natural choice given the top-rated schools, direct train to NYC, proximity to Newark Airport, and the small-town feel,” Priya says. They also credit the community with helping to shape the business. Many of WannaEat’s earliest customers came from nearby, and that local support helped confirm what they believed

Top left: WannaEat founders Shaleen and Priya Prakash Top right: Priya Prakash appeared as a guest speaker at TiE New York’s Fostering Entrepreneurship event. Bottom right: Priya Prakash (left) received the Catalyst of Empowerment Award in recognition of her impact as the founder of WannaEat.

from the start: People want food that makes life easier, but they also want connection, celebration, and a way to support local talent. Priya says WannaEat is about more than simply solving dinner. “We want WannaEat to be a platform where great food creates opportunity on both sides of the table.” NOVEMBER 2026 |

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Rooted in Purpose An early sense of peace in the treetops helped shape Brick Reilly’s current role caring for our town’s canopy. BY STAFF WRITER What first drew you to the field of arboriculture, and what led you to working with Millburn Township’s shade tree team? For most people, a tree is a backdrop. But for me, as a child, a tree was a sanctuary. Growing up as the only profoundly deaf person in my family and community, I lived in a state of disconnect. Looking for a place where I didn’t feel broken or left behind, I found my way into the branches. Up in the canopy, hearing didn’t matter. As I grew older, that refuge evolved into something more dangerous. I started free-climbing, taking massive risks just to feel a

rush of adrenaline and prove to myself that I was capable and in control. Then everything changed because of a single conversation with a stranger. They told me, “You can do this for a living. You can climb trees professionally.” I went home, looked it up online, and never looked back. When I landed my first job with Millburn Township, my initial motivation was a better financial opportunity. But Millburn gave me steady ground, and I threw myself into continuing education, advanced rigging, and scientific tree care. What started as a job quickly transformed into an elitelevel pursuit of professionalism.

INTERVIEW WITH

BRICK REILLY WE RECENTLY SPOKE with tree expert and competitive tree climber Brick Reilly about the craft of arboriculture, our landscapes that matter most to him, and the role our community plays in supporting healthy natural spaces.

Top left: Brick Reilly won the 2023 New Jersey Arborists Tree Climbing Competition, a qualification for international competition. Right: Brick Reilly spoke about longevity through adversity at ArborEXPO 2024, a premier annual trade show and conference for the tree care and arboriculture industry.

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF BRICK REILLY

Left: Brick Reilly competed in the aerial rescue event at the International Tree Climbing Competition in Albuquerque, New Mexico, representing the New Jersey Arborists chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. Right: Clockwise from top: Justin Hooks, Desmond Edwards, Brick Reilly, and Pedro Perez

How did growing up deaf shape your perspective, both personally and professionally? Growing up deaf in a hearing world taught me early on how to navigate spaces that weren’t built for me. Personally, it gave me a profound sense of self-reliance. You become deeply attuned to body language, visual cues, environmental shifts, and energy. It forged a resilience. Professionally, that perspective translates directly into arboriculture. Because I rely heavily on sight and feeling, my spatial awareness in the canopy is sharp. The silence that defines my world allows for hyperfocus on the task at hand. Being deaf in an industry dominated by auditory communication has also taught me to engineer my own solutions. The very thing that once isolated me became the ultimate tool for mastery. You spoke at ArborEXPO last year. What was the focus of your session? I wanted to stand at ArborEXPO like a lighthouse for other tree workers and move the conversation beyond rigging techniques or climbing gear and focus on mental resilience and longevity in tree work. I talked about misogi,

the idea of taking on something so difficult it resets your understanding of your own limits. In arboriculture, you are only as safe and strong as the crew on the ground and in the canopy beside you. Are there particular trees or areas in Millburn that you especially enjoy working with or seeing thrive? The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary holds a completely unique place in my heart and work. Stepping into that sanctuary feels like stepping back into a past life. The arboretum’s veteran trees are my absolute favorites to look at, yet the greatest lesson maturity teaches an arborist is restraint. Those ancient trees are living archives that demand deep reverence.

dieback, mushrooms at the base, deep cracks, sudden leaning, or insect activity. Why is community education important when it comes to maintaining trees and natural spaces? Trees are truly the lungs of the earth, but keeping those lungs healthy takes more than a crew with chainsaws and ropes. It takes a community. When residents understand why trees matter—how they manage stormwater, cool neighborhoods, and clean our air—they stop seeing trees as mere lawn ornaments or sources of falling leaves. When residents and the field crew are on the same page, we work together to protect the canopy.

What are some simple things homeowners can do to help keep the trees on their properties healthy? When mulching, follow the “donut, not volcano” rule, ensuring the root flare is visible. Water trees wisely during droughts, especially young ones. Protect the root zone, because most roots live in the top 12 inches of soil. Never let anyone top a tree. And watch for early warning signs like canopy NOVEMBER 2026 |

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The Considered Architect Jorge Mastropietro builds holistic spaces designed to nourish the human soul.

SPACE

BY EVE GOLDEN

Above: A vision plan for a new development in Plainfield with Phase 1 currently under construction Right: Wooden Box House, one of Jorge Mastropietro’s residential projects in Buenos Aires Photographs courtesy of Jorge Mastropietro

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“MY PATH TO architecture started long before I even knew what the word meant,” says Jorge Mastropietro. Raised in Buenos Aires by a structural engineer father and artist mother, his earliest memories involve sketching on blueprints and walking construction sites. “Through him, I learned to look at buildings not simply as objects but as things made by people, structures with an internal logic that are assembled piece by piece.” Because architecture became his primary way of understanding the world, choosing the profession felt like a natural calling. After establishing a practice in Argentina, he moved to the United States at age 30. In New York, he worked on massive

Above: Jorge Mastropietro with his husband, Mark, and their sons, Kiano and Kael, in Rome Below: Jorge Mastropietro (second from right) with his husband, Mark, and their children, Kiano and Kael, in Buenos Aires Photographs courtesy of Jorge Mastropietro

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international projects at Rafael Viñoly Architects. “I came to consider Rafael not just an employer but a true mentor who taught me the language of practicing architecture at an entirely different scale,” Mastropietro says. “He reinforced that architecture requires relentless curiosity. You have to question the obvious answer. Sometimes it simply means staring at a drawing for an unreasonable amount of time until it finally tells you what needs to be created.” DESIGN INTO DEVELOPMENT Driven by a strong need to build something of his own, he founded Jorge Mastropietro Architects (JMA) in 2008, with the goal to merge design, technical knowledge, and real estate development. “Sitting on the other side of the

This page: Jorge Mastropietro’s former family residence in Buenos Aires, designed by the architect in 2022 Photographs by Alejandro Peral

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Left: The architect at work in his ceramics studio Below: Jorge Mastropietro’s handcrafted pieces accent his Short Hills home. Photographs by Antonietta Henry

work,” he recalls of his former 19thcentury home. “The thick mudbrick walls provided exceptional natural insulation. The high ceilings, anchored by small brick vaults beneath a raised metal roof, allowed warm air to rise and escape.” Today, Mastropietro applies this ancient, vernacular intelligence—or practical, place-based knowledge— through modern Passive House principles, which focus on ultra-low energy usage. “The design choices that make the biggest difference without compromising beauty are those that work with nature rather than fighting it,” he says. “Sustainable design, at its core, is about protecting

table completely changed my perspective,” he notes. “I realized that great architecture and great development can, and must, work hand in hand. Understanding development taught me that good design and economic reality do not have to be enemies.” Mastropietro is currently putting this philosophy to work in West Orange with the creation of Leon Marketplace. The project, which reclaims a suburban intersection for pedestrians, marks JMA’s first venture outside its typical dense urban footprint. “We focused heavily on the corner situation, bringing the building right up to the street edge to anchor the intersection and act as

a visual landmark,” he explains. “We are basically replacing a ‘dead zone’ with continuous, safe sidewalks; transparent glass entrances; and a dynamic kinetic facade that reflects street life and makes the building feel alive.” INFORMED, SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS Operating between Argentine and American environments has profoundly shaped Mastropietro’s approach, particularly regarding sustainability. For him, true sustainable design goes beyond green materials; it traces back to his childhood in a traditional casa chorizo in Buenos Aires. “The architecture itself did the

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the health and happiness of the people living there.” To achieve this, he relies on a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, integrating ancient traditions and modern neuroarchitecture. “We need to integrate these traditions to design around how human beings actually think, feel, and thrive,” he says. “When someone steps into a space I’ve designed, I don’t want them thinking about codes or construction metrics. I want them to experience an immediate emotional downshift. I want them to feel that the space was intentionally crafted to protect their primal physical needs while nourishing their soul.” WELCOME INFLUENCES While architecture demands functional rigor, when it comes to creating other forms of art, Mastropietro finds pure, unconstrained expression in ceramics and painting. “Working with clay gives me an intimate, tactile connection to the earth,”

he says. “Because it’s a natural material, it carries an energy that returns that grounding feeling right back to you.” He views his diverse output as a direct reflection of his upbringing. “I learned the rigor and structural logic of architecture from my father,” he says, “but I learned everything about art, passion, and soul from my mother, who is an artist and still creates beautiful paintings today at 88 years old. In every project I touch, I am simply bringing those two gifts together.” This balance of passion and pragmatism extends to his life in Short Hills, where he lives with his husband, Mark, who recently embraced a new creative chapter in musical cabaret, and their sons, Kael and Kiano. While fatherhood hasn’t changed how he designs, it has profoundly shifted his perspective on resilience. Recalling a moment of exhaustion while taking his licensing exams, it was the thought of the example he was setting for

his newborn son that pushed him to persevere. “My kids taught me to stop living in fear, to realize that past fears are just stepping stones we learn from, and future fears are completely unknown,” he says. After 35 years as an accomplished architect who has practiced all over the world, Mastropietro continues to be inspired. “I still feel the exact same fire I felt at 18 when I walked into architecture school in Buenos Aires for the very first time,” he says. “If I had to do it all over again, I would choose every single step, ups and downs included.”

Above: Jorge Mastropietro working from his New York City office. Photograph courtesy of Jorge Mastropietro Left: Jorge Mastropietro (right) and his husband, Mark, in their Short Hills home. Photograph by Antonietta Henry

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A Fresh Edit

With a discerning eye and a love of discovery, Natalie Thomas brings a new retail experience to Millburn.

NATALIE THOMAS thought opening a store was one of those dreams that lived best in the abstract. “I’ve always dreamed of opening my own store, I just never thought I’d actually do it,” she says. “At least, not at this stage in life.” Thomas had spent two decades editing magazines, books, television, and digital media. She was busy creating content, raising a family, and

BY EVE GOLDEN

living in New York and Los Angeles, where the idea of opening a brickand-mortar store felt less realistic. “It would be hard to make a mark in such large cities, as the market is oversaturated,” she says. In Millburn, where she has lived for the past 10 years, the concept began to feel right. Today, it’s all come together at The Edit, her new 2,200-square-foot shop in The Harth building on Millburn

Avenue. Here, fashion, accessories, home goods, wellness, and gifts all sit under one bright, carefully considered roof. AN EDITOR’S APPROACH “Editing is all about refinement and paring down,” Thomas says. That mindset shapes everything in the store, from the product mix to the overall atmosphere. She describes

The Squishy Edit: Satisfying finds you’ll want to pick up and squeeze PHOTOGRAPH BY YING WANG

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Natalie Thomas, founder of The Edit PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMIE MEIER

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Left: Natalie Thomas (right) and her family PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMIE MEIER

Below: The Baby Edit: For the tiniest tastemakers PHOTOGRAPH BY YING WANG

excited about dressing but also more comfortable and more themselves? What would make their life easier, more fun, and celebratory?” Thomas’ vision for The Edit is to be a one-stop shop. “I want women to be able to pop in to get a gift and find something they love for themselves, too,” she says. “The Edit is as much about convenience as it is about style and fun.”

herself as fairly minimalist in how she dresses but says she has a “more is more” philosophy about life, especially when it comes to holidays, occasions, and gifting. The Edit reflects a balance between polished and inviting, and elevated without feeling overworked, which is what

gives the shop much of its charm. When editing her collections, Thomas says she tries to think the way she once did about readers and viewers. “Who are they? What do they like? What do they need and want?” she asks herself. “What would make them feel their best, be

DESIGNED FOR DISCOVERY The shop was shaped by Thomas’ home life. She says it was not until her daughter became a tween and started walking into town that she realized The Edit needed to speak not only to women but to younger customers, too. “That’s when it all sort of clicked for me,” she says. In the months before opening, Thomas enlisted her daughter and her friends as informal consultants, inviting them to review hundreds of products and weigh in

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Above: The NYC Edit: A dose of city energy, no train required PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMIE MEIER

Right: Snacks, sips, and sweets bar: Whether you need a post-Pilates pick-me-up, an after-school treat, or the perfect birthday gift, The Edit has something for every occasion. PHOTOGRAPH BY YING WANG

on what they would and would not buy. That same thoughtfulness extends to the items she carries. Thomas is intentional about supporting small businesses, particularly brands owned by women and women of color, as well as global artisans and companies that work with marginalized communities. “Everything you’ll find at The Edit is ethically made,” she says. She is also drawn to brands that give back, including Happy Camp3r, whose loungewear supports mental health organizations and includes positive affirmations on its tags. Thomas looked at several locations before landing at The Harth but says this one stood apart immediately. “The quality and design of the building was unparalleled,” she says. “All of the natural light is what ultimately sold me. I wanted the shop to feel like you’re stepping into a friend’s beautiful, spacious, lightdrenched space.” Thomas, who loves living in Millburn, says she never really considered opening anywhere else. “We’ve created a life here, our people are here, we’re integrated into the community,” she says. Since opening the boutique on Sept. 10, the community has responded with real enthusiasm. Thomas says the welcome has been positive, not only from peers

but from the tween and teen customers who now stop into The Edit almost daily. A SPACE TO GATHER Once Thomas realized how much space she had, the idea to include a party room took on a life of its own. It makes sense for someone who genuinely loves entertaining and has spent years planning events, both professionally and personally. The Edit can host everything from mahjong nights to birthday parties and school functions, and the entire store can be rented. There is also a

“snacks, sips, and sweets bar” stocked with treats, drinks, and candy. After years of creating for other brands and platforms, Thomas is proud of her new venture. “It’s been thrilling and so rewarding and gratifying creating something of my own,” she says. “It’s also been one of the most challenging and stressful things I’ve ever done.” As a child, she remembers being inspired by her father, a restaurant entrepreneur who built something of his own. Now, she says, “I love that my kids get to watch me go after my dreams. It’s really special.” NOVEMBER 2026 |

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More Than Medicine

Neurologist Siddharth Mehta moves stroke care and prevention beyond the hospital through SEVHA. BY EVE GOLDEN

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SIDDHARTH MEHTA

SIDDHARTH MEHTA, MD, has spent years caring for patients at some of the most urgent and frightening moments of their lives. As a stroke neurologist focused on vascular care, he often meets people in crisis, when the ability to speak, move, or function normally can change in an instant. Over time, that work has led him to think just as deeply about what happens before a medical emergency begins. “The brain has always fascinated me,” Mehta says. “It’s essentially the computer of the human body—it controls how we move, speak, think, remember, and interact with the world.” EVERY MINUTE MATTERS During his medical training, Mehta became especially interested in the blood vessels of the brain, what he calls “brain plumbing.” The idea that doctors could guide tiny catheters through the body’s blood vessels into the brain to remove a clot or treat an aneurysm without open brain surgery felt remarkable to him. “I knew pretty quickly that this was what I wanted to do,” he says. What Mehta values most about his work is the chance to care for patients across the full arc of a stroke. He may first see someone in the emergency room unable to speak or move one side of their body. From there, he can perform a procedure to restore blood flow, help manage the critical phase of recovery, and hopefully see that same person return to the office in due time.

“That’s incredibly gratifying,” he says. “I feel very blessed to be able to do that.” At the same time, years of treating stroke patients have changed the way he thinks. “What if we could prevent that person from ever having the stroke in the first place?” he wonders. “That’s increasingly where my passion lies.” When talking about stroke awareness, Mehta has one main message: Time is brain. “In a major ischemic stroke, roughly 2 million

neurons can be lost for every minute treatment is delayed,” he says. “So do not wait. If someone suddenly develops facial drooping, one-sided weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, vision loss, or severe imbalance, call 911 right away.” BACK TO BASICS After treating thousands of patients with vascular disease, Mehta says he has become even more aware of how often risk builds quietly over time.

Opposite page: Dr. Siddharth Mehta (second from right) and his family debuting SEVHA at Rocktoberfest Above: Dr. Siddharth Mehta (right) at a stroke awareness meeting with Millburn-Short Hills EMS

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High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, excess weight, poor diet, smoking, lack of physical activity, and poor sleep may not feel urgent in the moment, but their effects accumulate. “A significant amount of vascular disease is preventable or modifiable,” he says. “That realization changed how I look at my own health. Why wait until disease develops to start taking care of your blood vessels?” That thinking eventually led him to develop what he calls the five pillars of vascular health: sleep, exercise, vegetable-rich nutrition, hydration, and purpose. “I wanted it to be simple,” he says. “People are overwhelmed with health advice. There are diets, supplements, fitness programs, and complicated rules everywhere. I don’t think most people need another complicated health program. We need to get back to basics. You don’t have to live perfectly. You just have to consistently do the basic things that human beings need to stay healthy.” According to Mehta, one of these five pillars is regularly underestimated by people—sleep. However, it is essential to one’s

well-being. “I’ve come to view sleep as non-negotiable,” he says. A BROADER MISSION The desire to make prevention more accessible is what inspired SEVHA, which stands for Stroke Education and Vascular Health Awareness. Mehta says the name is also rooted in the Sanskrit word seva, meaning selfless service

without expectation of personal reward. “I feel incredibly blessed to be a physician,” he says. “But eventually I started thinking: How can I help more people than the patients who reach my hospital? Instead of only treating disease, I want to help prevent it.” Mehta’s hope is to reach people before they ever become patients. That includes working with families, workplaces, first responders, communities, and schools. His wife, a pediatrician, has helped shape that vision. “Why should we wait until someone is 40 or 50 and develops high blood pressure, diabetes, or vascular disease before we start talking about healthy habits?” he asks. Mehta and his family live in Short Hills, where he says it was the community that drew them in. “It’s a wonderful place to raise our three children,” he says. It also feels like the right place to begin this work. At home, the goal for his family is to make wellness a natural part of their routine rather than striving for perfection. “We’re definitely not perfect,” he says. Instead, the focus is on making health feel realistic: moving every day, eating more whole foods and vegetables, drinking water, protecting sleep, and having a sense of purpose. What keeps Mehta motivated after years in medicine is that the work still matters every day. There is still something extraordinary about helping restore someone’s function after a stroke. But now, his sense of purpose has widened. “Early in my career, I wanted to become really good at treating strokes,” he says. “Now I also want to become really good at preventing them.”

Above: Dr. Siddharth Mehta educating local EMS about stroke recognition and treatment Left: Dr. Siddharth Mehta (right) and Micole Cohen Richter at Rocktoberfest

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ein ch t2 R4e!altors for 19 years, including 2024! #1 Agents at Weich ert Realtors for#119Aygeeanrsts, iantcW lud ge2r0 Farm Lane, Mendham. Asking $4,995,000. 8 Sherwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000. #1 Agents in Essex County for 14 years!

1 Agents in Essex County for 14 years! #

R EAL ESTATE REPORT

na tsrsin #1 1 Agents in Millburn / Short Hills f#1 o1 r 1A9ge ye , iM ncillubduirnng /2S0h2o4r!t Hills for 19 years, including 2024!

ein ch t2 R4e!altors for 19 years, including 2024! #1 Agents at Weich ert Realtors for#119Aygeeanrsts, iantcW lud ge2r0 n Farm Lane, Mendham. Asking $4,995,000. 8 Sherwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000. # 1 A g e n t s i n E s s e x C o unty for 14 years! #1 Agents in Essex County for 14 years! 3 Winston Farm Lane, Mendham. Asking8 $4,995,000. 8 Sherwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $4,28 Farm Lane, Mendham. Asking $4,995,000. Sherwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000.

RECENT HOME SALES – AUG ‘26 - OCT ‘26 Millburn and Short Hills

#1 Agents for #1 A MMillburn orrtt H HiilllssHills 9 yyee19 inccluluddiincluding #1 11 A ggeennttss iinninM iilllbbuurrnn // SSh/hoShort ffoorr 119 aarrssyears, ,,in ningg22002244! ! 2024!

#1 Agents A tW Weeiicchheerrtt R Rat lttoorrss ffoorr 1144Realtors #11 A ggeennttss aatNationally eeaalWeichert yyeeaarrss!! for 19 years, including 2024! A EsEssex ssseexx C CooCounty 199 yy14 incclu luddin ingg22002List 244!! Price #1 Agents #11 A ggeennttss iinninE uunnttBeds/Baths yy ffoorr 1for eeaarryears! ss,, in Address Sale Price 7/6.1

63 ADDISON DR

$3,800,000

Agents for #1 A MMillburn orrtt H Hiillls5/4.3 sHills 9 yyee19 inccluluddiincluding 2002244! ! 2024! #1 11AVENUE A ggeennttss iinninM iilllbbuurrnn // SSh/hoShort ffoorr 119 aarrssyears, ,,in ningg2$3,575,000 123 HIGHLAND#1 #1 Agents A tW Weeiicchheerrtt R Rat lttoorrss ffoorr 1144Realtors #11 A ggeennttss aatNationally eeaalWeichert yyeeaarrss!! for 19 years, including 2024! 105 Farley Road, Short Hills. Asking $6,599,000. 6/5.1 50 Laura Drive, Cedar Grove. $7,200,000. Farley 2105 TROY DR Road, #1 Agents in Essex County for 19 years, including 2024! $3,250,000

Style

% Sale

DOM

$3,825,000

Colonial

101%

$3,450,000

Colonial

97%

9 Bishops Lane, Short Hills. Asking $3,800,000. 6/4.2 11 CAYUGA WAY $2,795,000 $3,155,000 #1 Agents #1 A gents ininEsEssex sex CoCounty unty for 1for 9 y14 earyears! s, including 2024!

260 Hartshorn Drive, Hills. Asking $4,288,000. 260 Hartshorn Drive, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000. $3,320,000 102% Colonial 105 Farley Road, ShortShort Hills. Asking $6,999,000.

5/3 19 HILLTOP RD $2,975,000 $2,975,000 Farm Lane, Mendham. Asking8 $4,995,000. 8 Sherwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000. 995,000. Sherwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000. 4/3.2 14 CROSS GATES $2,650,000 $2,850,000

Colonial

113%

Colonial

100%

Colonial

108%

38 FARVIEW RD

6/4.2

$2,895,000

$2,668,650

Contemp

92%

36 KEAN RD

5/5.2

$2,800,000

$2,600,000

RanchExp

93%

44 WEST RD

6/3.2

$2,200,000

$2,500,000

Colonial

114%

14 DENMAN CT

5/5.1

$2,699,000

$2,450,000

Custom

91%

67 MYRTLE AVE

5/4.1

$2,300,000

Colonial

98%

ton Farm Lane, Mendham. Asking8 $4,995,000. 8 Sherwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000. $4,995,000. Sherwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000.

hort 260 Hartshorn Drive, Short Asking $4,288,000. ar $7,200,000. 6/3.2 ortGrove. Hills. Asking $6,599,000. 260Farley Hartshorn Drive, Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000. 105 Road, Short Hills.Hills. Asking $6,999,000. 2 BRIARWOOD $2,499,000 Lane, Short Hills. Asking DR $3,800,000.

123 Highla

$2,415,000 97%Asking 33 Custom 123 Highland Avenue, Short Hills. $3,750,000.

$2,350,000

4/2.1 24 RIPPLING BROOK DRLane, $1,700,000 $2,108,108Short Hills. 124% 13 RanchExp 9 $3,800,000. Bishops Short Asking $3,800,000. 123 Highland Avenue, Short Hills. Asking $3 Lane, Short Asking 123 Highland Avenue, Asking $3,750,000. d, Short Hills. AskingHills. $6,599,000. 260 Hartshorn Drive,Hills. Short Hills. Asking $4,288,000.

260Farley Hartshorn Asking $4,288,000. 105 Road,Drive, ShortShort Hills. Hills. Asking $6,999,000. s Lane, Short Hills. Asking $3,800,000.

Cedar $7,200,000. d, ShortGrove. Hills. Asking $6,599,000.

35 WOODLAND ROAD

5/4

$1,885,000

24 CANOE BROOK RD

5/3

$1,700,000

123 Highland Avenue, Short Hills. Asking $3,750,000.

5/4 39 MECHANIC ST $1,888,777 882 SouthHills Orange Avenue, ShortAsking Hills. Asking $5,988,000. 25 Clive Clive Road, Short Hills. Hills. 25 Hills Road, Short Asking $4,088,000. $4,088,000. 3/2.2 20 KEAN RD $1,595,000 4/2.1

$1,999,999

Tudor

106%

$1,999,000

RanchRas

118%

$1,888,800 100% Custom 368 HartshornStreet, Drive, Short Hills. Asking $4,888,000. 70 70 Falmouth Falmouth Street, Short Short Hills. Hills. Asking Asking$3,688,000. $3,688,000. $1,875,000 118% Ranch

0 13

Tudor

98%

Lane, Short Hills. Asking $3,800,000. Highland Avenue, Short Hills. Asking $3,750,000. 00. 123 Hills. 123 Asking $3,750,000. 145 GLEN AVEHighland Avenue, Short 3/3.1 $1,250,000 $1,300,000

Custom

104%

27A WILLOW STREET U:A

3/4

$1,488,000

$1,200,000

TwnEndUn

81%

18 SUNSET DR

3/2

$1,049,000

$1,182,000

Colonial

113%

$850,000

$905,000

Ranch

106%

105%

184 OLD SHORT HILLS RD

$1,850,000

$1,810,000

ops Lane, Short Hills. Asking $3,800,000. Highland Avenue, Short Hills. Asking $3,750,000. 00,000. 123 Highland Avenue, Short Hills. 123 Asking $3,750,000.

venue, ShortAsking Hills. Asking $5,988,000. Short Hills. Hills. Short Asking $4,088,000. $4,088,000.

368 HartshornStreet, Drive, Short Hills. Asking $4,888,000. 70 Short 70 Falmouth Falmouth Street, Short Hills. Hills. Asking Asking$3,688,000. $3,688,000. 3/2

ge Avenue, ShortAsking Hills. Asking $5,988,000. oad, Short Hills. Hills. oad, Short Asking $4,088,000. $4,088,000.

368 HartshornStreet, Drive, Short Hills. Asking $4,888,000. 70 Short 70 Falmouth Falmouth Street, Short Hills. Hills. Asking Asking$3,688,000. $3,688,000. AVERAGE: $2,539,280

15 EVERGREEN TER

$2,656,798

The accuracy of the statistical data in this table is not guaranteed by Millburn and Short Hills magazine. The listings broadly represent the local real estate market rather than the listings of any single agent or agency. Source: GSMLS: 08/15/26 - 10/7/26

94 Knollwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $3,588,000.

603 Spring

PRESENTED BY ARLENE GONNELLA YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERT.

3 47 Winston Lane,Short Mendham. Asking$2,888,000. $4,499,000. 467 Old Short Hills Millburn. Road, Short Hills. Asking $2,699,000. Barnsdale Road, Hills. Asking 230 Glen Avenue, Asking 94Farm Knollwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $3,588,000. 603 Springfield Summit. Units 102 & ood Road, Short Hills. Asking $3,588,000. CALL ARLENE AT 201-306-1357 FOR THE PRICE! 603 Springfield Avenue, Summit. Units 102$1,788,000. &104. Avenue, Asking $1,399,000. 47 Barnsdale Road, Short Hills. Asking $2,888,000. 230 GlenHIGHEST Avenue, Millburn. Asking $1,788,000.

od Road, Short Hills. Asking $3,588,000.

603 Springfield Avenue, Summit. Units 102 &104. Asking

wood Road, Short Hills. Asking $3,588,000. ARLENE GONNELL A

603 Springfield Avenue, Summit. Units 102 &104. Asking $1,399,00

,Short Mendham. Asking$2,888,000. $4,499,000. Short Hills Millburn. Road, Short Hills. Asking $2,699,000. Hills. Asking 230Old Glen Avenue, Asking $1,788,000. od Road, Short Hills. Asking $3,588,000. 467 603 Springfield Avenue, Summit. Units 102 &104. Asking $1,399,000. SCAN or flip to the 8,000.

Email: arlene@gonnellateam.com | Website: GonnellaTeam.com

Avenue, Summit. Units 102 &104. Asking $1,399,000. Lane, Mendham. Asking $4,499,000. 603 Springfield 467 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills. Asking $2,699,000. Short Hills. Asking $2,888,000. 230 Glen Avenue, Millburn. Asking $1,788,000. |Units oad, Short Hills. Asking $2,888,000. 230 Glen Avenue, Millburn. Asking $1,788,000. llwood Road, Short Hills. Asking $3,588,000. Cell: 201.306.1357 Office: 973.376.4545 603 Springfield Avenue, Summit. Units 102 &104. Asking $1,399,000. 3,588,000. 603 Springfield Avenue, Summit. 102 &104. Asking $1,399,000. oad, Short Hills. Asking $2,888,000. 230 Glen Avenue, Millburn. Asking $1,788,000.

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back cover to explore our featured listings and learn more!



#1 Agents #1 1A gents ininMMillburn illburn / S/ hShort ort HilHills ls for for 19 20 yeayears, rs, incluincluding ding 20242025! ! #1 Agents Nationally at Weichert Realtors for 20 years, including 2025! 9:57 #1 Agen11/12/25 ts at11/12/25 WeAMich9:57 erAM t Realtors for 14 years! #1 Agents years! #1 A gents ininEEssex ssex CCounty ounty forfor 1915 yea rs, including 2024!

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BOOK NOOK

Gift and Gather Explore this curated collection of thoughtful finds, each with someone special in mind. BY STAFF WRITER

My Life in Stories: A Guided Journal From The Moth

By The Moth Make space for the stories that have shaped your life with this beautifully designed hardcover journal. More than 150 prompts invite you to revisit favorite moments, milestones, relationships, and experiences, while a removable timeline helps map your story. Whether you’re reflecting on the past, capturing where you are now, or looking toward the future, it’s a creative, personal way to document the moments that matter most.

Cozy Hobbies: Joyful Activities for Play & Leisure

By Kennedy Rose Consider this your new guide to making downtime more fun. With more than 45 interesting hobbies to explore, this book offers some fresh inspiration for everything from knitting and junk journaling to geocaching, gem painting, and tabletop games. Organized by mood and activity level, it helps you find something that fits your vibe, with practical tips and beautiful photography to make getting started feel effortless.

Puzzle Mania! Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More!

Edited by Joel Fagliano For anyone who considers a crossword part of their daily routine, this collection brings the New York Times Games experience to the page. Inside are fresh takes on favorites like Wordle, Connections, and Spelling Bee, along with crosswords, logic puzzles, trivia, and plenty of thought-provoking challenges. The beautifully designed lay-flat format makes it ideal for quiet mornings, travel, or a relaxed night in.

Jigsaw Puzzle Felt Roll Mat

By Journey of Something Keep your progress on a puzzle without giving up the dining table. This clever felt mat lets you work on a jigsaw then roll everything up neatly when it’s time to clear the space. Secure straps help keep pieces where they belong, while the lightweight design makes it easy to store or move. It’s a practical pick and spacesaving solution for anyone who likes to puzzle without the clutter.

Mastering American Mahjong: A Complete Guide to Rules and Strategy

By Megan Trottier Consider this your stylish guide to getting in on the mahjong moment. Created by the founder of Oh My Mahjong, this approachable handbook makes learning American mahjong feel less intimidating and more fun. Clear explanations and easy-to-follow illustrations cover the tiles, patterns, and strategies you need to know. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone ready to bring a little more confidence to the table.

Discover these favorites and more at The Book House, located at 321 Millburn Ave. in Millburn. For more information, visit thebookhousemillburn.com, or follow @thebookhousemillburn on Facebook and Instagram.

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PHOTO OP

LOCAL LEADERS BY STAFF WRITER

Above: Abby and Matt Speltz Right: The beer garden at Rocktoberfest, which Matt Speltz has chaired for the past five years. PHOTOGRAPHS BY LILY SPELTZ

MATT AND ABBY Speltz have lived in Millburn since 2013, and the longer you’re around town, the more you notice how much their names come up—at schools, at family events, and in their volunteer efforts that keep everything running. Their motto is simply, “yes.” It shows up in their big decisions (like deciding to move to Canada for three years) and in the smaller ones that take time and follow-through, like jumping into parent-teacher organization (PTO) work and taking on leadership roles before their kids were even fully settled into the school system. From PTOs to the Millburn Education Foundation, from town recreation coaching to the board of education, they’ve treated involvement as something you do because you care about what happens locally. Matt has put a lot of his energy into sports and music. He coached their daughters on town rec teams when they were younger and has served as beer garden chair for Rocktoberfest for the past five years. That work eventually led to his spot on the Millburn Education Foundation board of trustees. Over the past 13 years, Abby has served as PTO president for three schools, PTO conference president, and president of the Millburn Education Foundation for four years. In January, she was elected president of the board of education. If you ask why they keep doing it, it comes down to the people. Volunteering has brought Matt and Abby into contact with other locals who also care about the community and are willing to put in the work to improve it.

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