Millburn & Short Hills April 2024

ONE WITH NATURE THE CORA HARTSHORN ARBORETUM AND BIRD SANCTUARY

MENU MAKEOVER AT JACK’S SURF & TURF

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

VERDE HARVEST’S MICROGREENS

Publisher’s Note

Every year, I am amazed at how quickly spring arrives and at how my senses are reawakened to nature. As Annie Dillard says in her book “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek:”

“In April, I walked to the Adams’ Woods. The grass had greened when I blinked.”

We hope this issue inspires you to not blink but instead to savor all the glorious birdsong and the many nearby places to take a stroll. For example, the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, which is featured in this issue.

As you marvel at the budding shoots, we hope you might even be inspired to try the microgreens that local business Verde Harvest offers. Those small, nutrient-dense greens add the perfect flourish to dishes at some of our beloved local restaurants. We were impressed to learn of the healthy wallop they pack!

As always, we love featuring residents of Millburn and Short Hills and hope you enjoy a peek into a local restaurant owner’s carefully and lovingly designed family kitchen.

We are so grateful for the kind words that have been shared by so many readers, and we thank you for sending us your story ideas. Please feel free to continue reaching out to me at marylima@ millburnandshorthills.com. Happy spring to all!

Mary Lima

Publisher

PHOTOGRAPH BY MELISSA SPECTOR

Around Town

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

Spring is in full bloom in Millburn-Short Hills, which means that event season is on the horizon. Explore Millburn-Short Hills is working with numerous local partners to create innovative and engaging programs to bring the community together.

MILLBURN FOUNDING DAY AND TAYLOR PARK AT 100

Millburn’s Cultural, Engagement, Diversity and Arts Committee (CEDA) will host the third annual Founding Day event at Taylor Park. This event not only celebrates the founding of the town in 1857, but this year marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of Taylor Park. CEDA is working with various local groups to include activities related to the history of the town.

Founding Day will also serve as the kickoff for a special public art effort launched by Explore Millburn-Short Hills. In 2019, the town created a campaign called “Millwheels Rolling Into Millburn,” for which more than 20 groups decorated wooden millwheels with unique designs. This year, those wheels are being brought back to life with new designs and installation locations. A dozen local cultural, civic, education and social organizations are participating, and the designs will debut at Founding Day. The event is scheduled for May 18 with a rain date of May 19. For more information, email info@exploremillburnshorthills.org.

CHARITY RUMMAGE SALE

Community Congregational Church is hosting its Boutique & Rummage Sale on April 20 and 21. All proceeds will help the charities Dress for Success and The Warehouse NJ, as well as the church’s outreach fund. Drop off donations in the back of the church at 200 Hartshorn Dr. in Short Hills on April 6 and 13 and the week of April 15–19. In addition to clothing and accessories, the sale will accept household items, small furniture, toys, games and sports equipment. More information is available at www.communitychurch.org.

STEAMFEST 2024

The Millburn Education Foundation is spotlighting Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math during STEAMFest 2024. This month, the organization is hosting STEAM-related competitions for K–12 students that are sure to challenge their busy minds. On April 27, STEAMFest Day will be held at Millburn High School from noon to 7 p.m. In addition to the STEAMFest challenges being held that day, including an art challenge and in-person chess tournament, highlights will include a robotics demo, a screening of winning films from Millburn FilmFest, and an award show to celebrate all the winners of the various challenges. For more information, visit www.millburnedfoundation.org.

ANNUAL LIBRARY BOOK SALE

Get ready to clear off your bookshelves and restock for the year. The collection period for the annual Friends of the Millburn Library book sale runs April 8–21. The group is accepting hardcover, paperback and children’s books and vinyl LP records in good condition. Donations can be placed in a specially marked bin located next to the elevator on the first floor of the library during regular operating hours. For more information, call the library at 973-376-1006. To volunteer, email friends@millburnlibrary.org. The book sale will be held May 4 and 5 with a Friends member pre-sale on May 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

WELLNESS WEEK

Explore is proud to be partnering with the Millburn Township School District for Wellness Week (May 6–10). Small businesses from the special improvement district will be providing educational programming for elementary and middle school students along with wellness activities for faculty and staff. Some of the programming includes fitness presentations from SwimQuest and F45 Training, self-care presentations from Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry, and art therapy activities created by ArteVino Studio and One River School of Art + Design.

ABOUT EXPLORE

MILLBURN-SHORT HILLS

Explore Millburn-Short Hills is the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to support and promote 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.

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Local Real Estate Holds Strong

What makes Millburn-Short Hills unique? Read our interview with a longtime local realtor to find out.

BY ELAINE PAOLONI QUILICI

For the past 40 years, Debbie Rybka Howard has immersed herself in the local real estate market. Whether she’s working out of her Millburn Avenue office, showing a home or introducing a client to their next potential residence, this dedicated Coldwell Banker Realtor has a passion for what she does. Though she currently lives in Summit, Howard made Millburn her home for 10 years and knows the people, places and things that make it unique. We recently spoke with her about local market trends:

What does the market in Millburn and Short Hills look like?

The market is extremely competitive and there is no inventory, which is propelling extraordinarily high selling prices. As of March 14, in all of Millburn Township, there were 33 homes on the market—just 17 under $2 million and only one under $1 million. Most homes are selling in less than a week and get multiple bids. My listings are selling between 15% and 30% above list price.

INTERVIEW WITH DEBBIE RYBKA HOWARD Realtor for Coldwell Banker Realty

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF DEBBIE RYBKA HOWARD

How are interest rates affecting home buying in the area?

People aren’t leaving their homes with 2.5% or 3.5% financing to go get a new mortgage that is much higher. But rising rates haven’t affected our buyers—we are insulated from the financial strength of the people who live here. In surrounding territories, one-third of my transactions are cash, but in Short Hills, it’s even more than that. No matter the rates, people are buying homes.

What are people looking for in a home in this area?

Buyers are looking for updated kitchens and bathrooms, move-in ready condition, excellent schools and a thriving downtown. We have a wonderful, diverse community, and many people also want a bedroom and bath on the first floor to accommodate family members visiting from abroad and aging parents who live with them.

Why is it important to use a local agent?

When out-of-area brokers come in, they don’t know the market or the players. And if we don’t know them, it makes it more difficult to negotiate because we don’t know how they operate. I am passionate about the people and towns I serve. I have a keen insight that comes from living in the area my entire life. I know the houses, the people, their demands and what it takes to be a top agent.

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

53 Elm St., Millburn: Howard listed this four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom customrenovated home designed by architect Tim Klesse for $1.7 million. It closed for $2.1 million in August 2023. Photograph by Visual Marketing & Design

179 Western Dr., Short Hills: Debbie listed this six-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom centerhall colonial for $2.95 million. It closed for $3.2 million in July 2023. Photograph by Visual Marketing & Design

Culinary Masterpiece

Local restaurant owners approach their own kitchen design with thoughtful consideration.

BY D.W. HIRSCH

If home is where the heart is, then the kitchen of Eric and Sum Cheung has a lot of heart and soul. When these Millburn restaurant owners built their house in Short Hills, planned by local architect Thomas Baio, they chose an open layout and designed it with large areas to gather friends and family. To handle entertaining with ease, the family of five needed a large, well-planned kitchen. It had to be spacious, welcoming, and, most important, functional. The couple hired kitchen designer Antoinette Fraser, owner of Saint Clair Kitchen & Home in Montclair, to create a space where multiple chefs could cook many dishes at the same time.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MELISSA SPECTOR

Design With Purpose

A large stovetop and hood were key elements in the family’s kitchen design, as was a freestanding kitchen island. They exclusively wanted Miele appliances because the brand offered the technology and user-friendly system for which they were looking.

“We found that the dual oven and steamer was perfect for making homemade dim sum dishes that reminded us of our childhood,” Sum Cheung says. “Many classic Hong Kong dishes require steam cooking,

so now we can easily cook dishes that would have required long steaming time and inconvenience.”

Another welcome addition was a hot water dispenser that can quickly make a cup of tea—a drink that is important in their Chinese culture, Cheung says.

The family also wanted an effective exhaust system to help airflow and ventilation. The stainless-steel VentA-Hood with quiet Magic Lung blower system worked best for them. The kitchen island has a matching

stainless-steel waterfall faucet design by Rohl.

The range was aligned on center with the island to allow cooks to pivot—not walk—from stove to sink. For convenience, the refrigerator and freezer are situated nearby as well. Quartz countertops provide the best meal prep functionality and easy cleanup. The arrangement of multiple workstations and extended countertops on both sides of the stove allows many cooks to move freely without feeling constricted.

The Focal Point

The Cheungs wanted their kitchen to make a visual statement while remaining warm and welcoming. They achieved that balance by using walnut accents.

They chose walnut cabinets to stand out as the centerpiece. Walnut drawers with contrasting U-shaped nickel hardware add extra sizzle while unifying the other kitchen elements. The walnut also complements the kitchen flooring, coordinating with the wood on the island, freezer and refrigerator. This combination gives a timeless feel to the space, contrasting the modern look of sleek stainless steel and sharp quartz.

The final flourish was the lighting, an element that is more important than many homeowners think. Bright, natural light filters in from the kitchen window, and recessed lights under the cabinets illuminate the countertops. The Hudson Valley Lighting fixtures showcase the glass display cabinets and light them from within. This indirect lighting adds ambiance and highlights the family’s personal kitchen décor.

“Our favorite decoration in the kitchen is displayed on a cabinet shelf: three ceramic gourds with their own special pattern lit by indirect light that we brought from China,” Cheung says.

Cooking With Family

The family is now able to comfortably gather many cooks in their new kitchen.

Cheung does most of the cooking, which includes more homestyle, table-ready dishes than those at the family’s restaurants.

“My home cooking is suited more toward convenience and getting food on the table after work when it’s late,” she says. “It’s important for everything to be convenient so dinner can be made quickly.”

Of the Cheungs’ three children, ages 22, 19 and 17, their youngest son, Matthew, is also passionate about cooking. His specialty dish

is an easy family night meal called bossam, a Korean braised pork belly dish that highlights the freshness of the ingredients.

“A lot of the inspiration for our kitchen design came from our desire to let him express his creativity in a well-designed and functional kitchen,” Cheung says. “The white quartz, stainless-steel stove and hood, alongside the walnut accents, was everything that I had imagined.”

D.W. Hirsch is a feature writer based in Union. She is the author of the memoir “Star Trek, Mom and Las Vegas: A Grand Adventure” and a haiku collection “Haiku in the Life of You.”

Left: Sum Cheung’s vision of a functional and beautiful space to gather and cook with her whole family is now a reality.

Top: Matthew, the youngest of the Cheung children, is passionate about cooking (photograph courtesy of the Cheung family). Right: Sum Cheung.

Maria Bryke-Drake, owner of Verde Harvest, grows her microgreens in Millburn.

Small but Mighty

Verde Harvest serves up the incredible super food that is microgreens.

BY ISABELLA SETARO PHOTOGRAPHS BY MELISSA SPECTOR

On a quest for a more healthful lifestyle, Maria BrykeDrake wanted to find ways to add more vitamins and minerals to her diet. Little did she know that meeting with a nutritional coach would change not only her lifestyle, but her career.

The specialist introduced her to microgreens. Bryke-Drake was surprised to discover that these verdant powerhouses contain four to 40 times more nutrients than their mature vegetable or leaf counterparts. Inspired by the idea of sharing the health impact of microgreens with others, she decided to start her own business, Verde Harvest, three years ago.

Based in Millburn, Verde Harvest caters to individuals similarly conscious of their health and wellness journeys, as well as chefs seeking highquality ingredients to enhance their dishes.

“I really looked forward to doing something I believed in while also helping other people,” Bryke-Drake explains.

Locally Grown Microgreens require a special growing process. To accommodate this, Bryke-Drake gutted and specifically designed her own space in Millburn. Dedicated to providing her customers with the best greens possible, she opts for organic soil and seeds and never uses pesticides. The environment is an important factor too, with controlled humidity and temperature needing to remain consistent and the light source playing an important role.

This necessary attention to detail means a day that usually starts before sunrise and sometimes requires Bryke-Drake to drop by Verde Harvest for some late-night extra watering.

“Microgreens have a super short life cycle,” she says. “I plant them, they germinate, then they go to the grow lights. All of that happens within 10 to 12 days, and then they’re cut the day that I deliver them. Ultimately, people are eating greens that were harvested that morning.”

Incorporate Microgreens at Home

Maria Bryke-Drake’s popular kale microgreen salad combines her greens with crunchy walnuts and sweet potatoes.

For additional recipes, nutritional information and events, visit Bryke-Drake on Instagram: @verde_harvest. To learn more about microgreens and how to arrange for home delivery, visit www.theverdeharvest.com.

KALE MICROGREEN SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

Salad Base

8oz kale microgreens

4oz goat cheese, crumbled

4oz fresh pomegranate arils

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed

2 tbs. coconut oil, melted

kosher salt and pepper

Spiced Walnuts

1 cup walnuts, halves

2 tsp. coconut oil, melted

1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Vinaigrette

1/4 cup walnut oil

2 tbs. champagne vinegar

1 tsp. raw honey

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS:

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss cubed sweet potatoes with melted coconut oil, salt and pepper to taste. Spread out sweet potatoes on a sheet pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until fork tender (but not mushy), tossing halfway through. Cool to room temperature.

Spiced Walnuts

Toss walnuts with melted coconut oil and spices. Spread out a small sheet pan. Add to the oven with the sweet potatoes. Bake 8 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Vinaigrette

Place all ingredients in a covered mason jar and shake until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Salad Assembly

On a large platter, arrange kale microgreens, sweet potatoes, goat cheese, spiced walnuts and pomegranate. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve.

Caring for Customers

As part of her residential subscription service, Bryke-Drake provides weekly and bi-weekly delivery to homes within a 10-mile radius of Millburn. She also offers one-time orders to people interested in sampling the greens.

In addition to health-conscious individuals, her customer base includes people struggling with illness who are also looking to reap the nutritional benefits that microgreens provide. Because they’re packed with potassium, iron, zinc and magnesium, the greens can help reduce inflammation and neutralize toxins in the body, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and support gut health.

It’s not just all about the nutritional benefits of the greens, Bryke-Drake says. She also values the relationships she develops with her clientele.

“I don’t ship,” she says. “I only deliver locally, and I want that to be my business model. I want to know my customers, and I want my customers to know me. That’s super important to me—to build those

relationships. It makes it more gratifying.”

Because of those close relationships, she’s able to lend advice to customers on how to incorporate the small but mighty greens into their day-to-day life.

“The coolest thing about microgreens is that they’re absolutely delicious,” she says. “You don’t have to change your diet—you just need to add them.”

Whether it’s micro basil on pizza, radish greens on avocado toast or even her specialty smoothie mix, microgreens are the perfect addition to any meal.

Bryke-Drake also sells her microgreens to the public at the Morristown Farmers Market on Sundays where she enjoys educating newcomers and reconnecting with regulars. She recently started selling her own premade salads, which have become a fast favorite, and plans to offer more in the future.

Restaurant Appeal

Another part of Bryke-Drake’s business is growing microgreens for more than 20 restaurants throughout New Jersey,

including Millburn Standard (42 Main St., Millburn), Boxcar Bar & Grill (25 Chatham Rd., Short Hills) and Taste Buddy (515A Millburn Ave., Short Hills). Previously a restaurant co-owner, she is familiar with how the greenery is often used to add visual appeal and flavor interest to food.

“I knew coming from a restaurant background that I had a total edge, because I know how to talk to chefs—I know what they want, what they’re interested in, and I know how to collaborate with them,” she says.

That collaboration involves suggesting certain types of microgreens or micro herbs to pair with new dishes, harvesting a curated selection for each restaurant she works with and delivering them the same day to ensure the freshest produce possible.

Whether it’s at a local restaurant or at home, Bryke-Drake is glad to know people are discovering the power of microgreens. She knows how they have made a difference in her own life, and she looks forward to growing their local appeal.

Isabella Setaro is a Montclair-based writer. She has a degree in advertising and marketing communications, and a passion for the power of storytelling.

Maria Bryke-Drake services many local restaurants, including Boxcar Bar & Grill, owned by Shaun Ahern (right).

One With Nature

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary offers peaceful escape and shows visitors how they can help conserve nature.

BY ELAINE PAOLONI QUILICI

Tucked away on Forest Drive South in Short Hills, the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary is a hidden gem. But that’s exactly what arboretum director Tedore Whitman would like to change.

“We are always being called a hidden gem, but we don’t want to be a hidden gem anymore,” he says. “We want to be the most well-known gem out there. We would

love to have everybody in Millburn who hasn’t had a chance to stop by, come by and hopefully get inspired to be a better steward of nature.”

Another ask of Whitman’s is that people properly pronounce the name: It’s Hartshorn, not Heart-shorn, as most people say. And that pronunciation comes straight from the family.

A Generous Gift

The arboretum’s original 16.5 acres were a gift from Stuart Hartshorn to his daughter Cora in 1923. The land was intended to be used as a space for Cora to talk to her neighbors about issues that were important to her, such as conservation, nature and equal access. When Cora passed away in 1958, she left the property to the township of Milburn in her will, stating that the building and the property were to be used in the same way.

The arboretum presently functions as a bird sanctuary for wildlife. The preserve requires a good amount of conservation work to address issues such as invasive species and soil composition. It also has a mission to teach people how to be stewards of nature themselves.

“We’re trying to inspire people to do the same work in their own lives, by keeping in mind that there are simple choices they can make every day that can make a difference,” Whitman says.

The arboretum educates visitors from an early age. From Mommy and Me classes for preschoolers to field trips and summer camps for elementary school children to volunteer opportunities for middle schoolers to a science program run in conjunction with the high school, there is a natural progression to keep them involved.

“We try to affect them in such a way that their attitudes are geared toward curiosity and wanting to experience nature as it actually is,” Whitman says. “We want to show them that experiences are more important than virtual encounters.”

Some have even gone off to college seeking science degrees and return as paid employees. Often, they choose conservation-minded pathways for careers, keeping in mind that the arboretum is an important place to support.

According to Whitman, 73 percent of nature is privately owned. That makes education an important pursuit. The arboretum hopes to inspire visitors to wisely manage the nature they literally have in their backyard.

Little Efforts Mean a Lot

“Cornell recently reported that 70 percent of all bird populations have dropped by at least 30 percent, and that’s terrible,” Whitman says. “But if everybody in Short Hills and Milburn who owns property planted an oak tree or a native bush that produces berries for migrating birds, that is actually far more useful for conservation efforts than anything we can do here on the arboretum property. We’re trying to get people to make those little efforts.”

As the arboretum welcomes wildflower season this spring, it’s a beautiful time to explore the premises.

“I love it when the spicebushes light up the wildflower section with their tiny little

yellow flowers,” Whitman says. “I would love it if everybody planted spicebushes in their backyards, because they are native, they produce berries that birds absolutely adore, and they’re a good host plant for an assortment of insects that the warblers love during the spring and summer.”

Another treasure of the arboretum is an ancient sugar maple, which only has about 20 years left to live.

“She’s just such a handsome tree, and we’re very protective of her,” he adds.

Meet Local Wildlife

Inside the arboretum’s signature stone house, there are animal exhibits where visitors can have a close encounter with a

piece of wildlife that is native to New Jersey.

“There was a little girl who visited for hours with her grandfather,” Whitman says. “When they were ready to leave, she watched her grandpa drop a $20 bill in one of our donation boxes and asked what it was for. We explained that it was to help feed the animals and take care of things at the arboretum. She then held up a nickel, said, ‘This is everything I have,’ and dropped it into the box, too.”

Whitman keeps that nickel in the donation box for the symbolism that she gave everything that she had. He hopes others will likewise be so generous to support nature in any way they can.

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

PHOTOGRAPH BY REGINA TRUITT

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Menu Makeover

Greg Markarian caters to all tastes at Jack’s Surf & Turf, adding items such as steaks and burgers to round out his seafood offerings.

BY ELAINE PAOLONI QUILICI

BY GREG MARKARIAN

When Short Hills resident Greg Markarian acquired Jack’s Lobster Shack in September 2023, he had a vision to expand the menu and rebrand it as Jack’s Surf & Turf. Since then, he has been catering to both seafood lovers and landlubbers in his Millburn Avenue eatery.

Markarian helped launch Jack’s Lobster Shack in Edgewater in 2015. He and owner Jack Tabibian ventured into Montclair in 2017 and expanded to Short Hills in 2021. When he and Tabibian decided to amicably part ways, Markarian became sole owner of the Short Hills and Montclair establishments.

Taking over the restaurant wasn’t the only change Markarian made. The shift allowed him the opportunity to change the menu also.

“Our patrons have consistently praised our non-seafood offerings, with some even claiming our steak surpasses that of dedicated steak houses,” he says.

Inspired by this customer feedback, Markarian decided to evolve Jack’s seafood-only menu into a surf-and-turf

one. In addition to maintaining an array of quality seafood, the restaurant now serves steaks, burgers and short ribs. It also offers catering and event-hosting.

“We wanted to cater to diverse palates, ensuring every member of the family, including those who prefer turf, leaves satisfied,” he says.

Vacation Vibes

Dining at Jack’s Surf & Turf isn’t just about the food—it’s a whole vibe. The carefully curated ambiance transports guests to a summertime vacation. Adorned with nautical décor and rustic pallets lining the walls, the charming setting is appreciated by patrons.

“Our establishment is a haven for patrons donning cherished vacation t-shirts, reminiscent of sandy shores from Cape Cod to Maine,” Markarian says. “This unique tradition embodies the spirit of our coastal-inspired dining experience.”

The atmosphere and menu—featuring lobster-infused dishes, Ipswich clams and clam bellies year-round, in addition to

surf-and-turf options—work together to provide a “journey of flavor and nostalgia in every visit,” Markarian says.

Supporting Small Businesses

Being a small business comes with challenges, so finding local support has been a blessing to Markarian. He appreciates the resident regulars and those who stop in from nearby towns. He also is thankful to have neighboring businesses—including Taste Buddy, Toninos Cigars and Classic Cut Barbershop—that add to the area’s appeal.

“Our tight-knit community has been an invaluable pillar of support,” Markarian says. “And the organization Explore Millburn goes above and beyond, providing resources and fostering connections among local businesses, ultimately helping us attract more customers.”

Elaine Paoloni Quilici is the editor of Millburn & Short Hills magazine and a freelance lifestyle writer and editor based in Verona.

Above left: Greg Markarian, proprietor/operator of Jack’s Surf & Turf. Opposite page and above right: Surf and turf menu options ensure there is something for everyone.

Spring Is in the Air

The wooded forests and waterways of Short Hills make it an ideal place to live with nature.

Photographer Madhusudan Kondapuram moved to town in August 2021 and has been busy photographing his neighborhood since then.

This image of a Northern Mockingbird was taken recently in his backyard using a Nikon Coolpix P1000.

“It’s one of my favorite birds,” he says. “I love their multiple bird calls. We have a couple of bird feeders in our backyard, and my winged friends wait for me every day in the morning to fill the feeders. That’s when I take many of my backyard bird images.”

Kondapuram shares his local images daily on Instagram and weekly on Nextdoor for others to see and enjoy. “Sharing on social media and getting a few likes and comments here and there make it motivating,” he says.