At Lyons & Associates, P.C., we guide individuals and families through thoughtful, customized estate planning—so your wishes are honored, your loved ones are protected, and you have real peace of mind.
Whether you’re creating your first plan or updating an existing one, we make the process clear, compassionate, and efficient.
WHAT IS ESTATE PLANNING?
It’s the legally documented expression for minor children, and who makes financial cannot—beneficial for every stage of
WHY LEGAL COUNSEL
These are binding instruments with long-term attorney helps ensure your plan is valid, tax-aware—and actually works when
WHY LEGAL COUNSEL
Last Will & Testament: Directs distributions, can nominate guardians. Without
Trusts (Revocable & Irrevocable):Manage probate, protect privacy, and may
Durable Power of Attorney:Authorizes finances if you’re incapacitated.
Healthcare Directives / Living Will:Clearly state medical preferences and end-of-life decisions.
WHEN SHOULD YOU UPDATE?
Review every 3–5 years or after major life events like marriage, divorce, births, big financial changes, or moving states.
Why Lyons & Associates, P.C.
Personalized, comprehensive guidance; deep New Jersey experience; compassionate counsel; and litigation strength when disputes arise. Our mission: give you confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
Start your plan today.
Call 908-923-3206 for a confidential consultation or visit us online. In-person and virtual meetings available.
Photograph
CCRUNCH. CRUNCH? Did you hear that? It’s crunch time, as in the sound of fallen leaves beneath your footsteps, or the juicy bite into crisp apples in their prime and plucked fresh from New Jersey farms. It’s all part of nature’s annual display of foliage now available in brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges brightening up the Boulevard, the Tourne, and your yard. Well past the fall equinox, we’re deep into spooky and pumpkin spice season, also known as fall and autumn for traditionalists.
Football season is also well underway as high school and NFL games alike are bumped up to priority one on the weekends and beyond. It’s also the time of year to get your last hurrah of outdoor
dining in, and we have just the go-to destinations to taste test seasonal favorites amid a backdrop of foliage.
In saving the best for last, all roads lead to Halloween, and there’s plenty to do around town. On a personal note, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays as it always gave me the opportunity to dress the opposite of the mainstream. In third grade, I proudly constructed a dictionary from two random pieces of cardboard, a standout in a sea of princesses, and very possibly a sneak peek into my career with words. In high school, I embodied my love of music into a stereo and won most original costume.
Now, we have Spirit Halloween, Amazon, and Pinterest that offer alternatives to customized homemade costumes, but I still like to put my own spin on them!
So, this Halloween take note of your local ghosts, goblins, vampires, or the standout kids channeling their inner persona.
As always, feel free to inundate us with photos. We love photos almost as much as story ideas. I can be reached at ellen.wilkowe@wainscotmedia.com.
Ellen S. Wilkowe Editor
Mountain Lakes
& BOONTON TOWNSHIP MAGAZINE
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Writer Rich Luttenberger
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Mountain Lakes + Boonton Township magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS SHARKEY
Festivals and Fright!
With fall in full force, there’s festivals, trick-or-treating, and other Halloween scenes that dare to scare in the name of light-hearted fun.
BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE
FEAST YOUR EYES on the opportunities we rounded up that require little to no travel beyond the borders of your hometown.
THE HALLOWEEN SCENE
Mountain Lake’s finest is in search of Halloween candy to support the Halloween Safe Zone Program.
Sponsored by the police department, firefighters, and volunteers, the safe zone is an area cordoned off for trick-or-treaters to walk without worry of vehicle traffic.
The Village Neighborhood area consists of parts of Crescent Drive, Vale Drive, Center Drive, Grove Place, and Maple Way. Parking is available at the train station or Romaine parking lot.
In the meantime, you can deposit your sweet treats at Wildwood School: Oct. 22 to 25, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and Mountain Lakes Library on Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
HIGHLANDS JURIED ART EXHIBIT
Art and history join forces for a cause at the Maxfield Engine House, home to the 12th Annual Highlands Juried Art Exhibit. The exhibit is ongoing through Dec. 5 and features paintings, photographs, sculpture, and mixed media that highlight the 4-State Highlands Region of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Proceeds will support the New Jersey Highlands Coalition’s mission of helping to preserve the natural and cultural resources of the region of New Jersey that supplies clean drinking water to over 6.2 million people.
For more information, go to www.highlandart.org, www. njhighlandscoalition.org, or call 973910-2400.
Maxfield Engine house is located at 713 Main St., Boonton.
PUMPKIN JUNCTION
Pumpkins are a plenty at Brookhollow’s Barnyard in Boonton Township. The pumpkin patch is located at 425 Powerville Rd., and admission is free.
Tractor rides are also available for $3.
For more information and hours go to: www. brookhollowsbarnyard.com.
DIWALI CELEBRATION
The Diwali celebration set to take place Oct. 4 at Island Beach has tacked on a drone show to its festivities. The South Asian Festival of Lights revels the triumph of light over darkness. Sponsored by the Mountain Lakes Public Library, the festivities begin at 5 p.m. and promise to deliver a display of food, music, and dance.
For the Record
Hidden Tracks turns it up on nostalgia and new tunes.
BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE
SHANE MURPHY OF West Milford remembers his very first concert at the formative age of six. “The Beach Boys,” he says. “It changed my life.” Since then, he’s attended more than 1,000 concerts across all genres—Oasis his most recent—and he also boasts a vast vinyl collection that teeters on 15,000. Even the family dog, “Maggie May,” pays homage to music. “After the Rod Stewart song,” Murphy says.
In the last year and a half, Murphy has created a space for music and
musicians alike at his store Hidden Tracks Records. In addition to media, the store boasts an all-encompassing selection of music merch from T-shirts to purses and even old-school posters that tend to find their way onto the storied walls of teenaged bedrooms.
Hidden Tracks Records—which, despite the name, is anything but— is very much front and center on Main Street.
From a piano-key welcome mat to a lounge—which pays homage to his late
sister and concert companion, Lara— and a stage for live performances and comfy couches covered in cassette tapethemed pillows, the store is a fusion of past, present, and future. Murphy even hosts his own podcast that carries the same name and shines a spotlight on artists from around the globe. We recently popped by Hidden Tracks for a meet-and-greet with Murphy to uncover his own hidden track and the road that led him to Main Street.
First order of business, tell us about the name, Hidden Tracks. What is the meaning?
The name refers to the secret song tucked away between the grooves on a LP that takes precise placement of the needle to reveal it. On a CD, the hidden track may be discoverable before the first song, called a pregap, or after the last song, following long periods of silence.
You stand proud as an army and music veteran who now runs a go-to destination shop for record enthusiasts, collectors, and musicians alike. How did all of this unfold? What is your hidden story?
I was working in sales for 20 years and wasn’t feeling it anymore. So, it was President’s Day in 2024, and my wife and I were walking our dogs at Rockaway Valley Fields. There was snow on the ground. I was cold, and
I wanted coffee, so we came to Main Street, and I walked by the shop and saw a ‘For Lease’ sign. That following Wednesday, my wife, who knew I wasn’t happy in my job, said ‘get in the car, we have somewhere to go.’ It ends up that she made an appointment with the realtor. Everything you see here, I drew on a paper napkin. The stage, the bins, the bar.
What was the store’s past life?
It was a consignment shop called “Time to Consign.” Fun fact: The original movie “The Toxic Avenger” was filmed in this building.
You didn’t look for shops in other towns, just Boonton?
Just here. I’ve found that this is a very artistic and welcoming community.
Is your wife involved in the day to day?
Michele has a separate job, but she’s definitely a partner in all this, helping out with pop-up events, running our social media pages, as well as online promoting and marketing.
Are there any other employees, in addition to yourself?
Yes, employees and volunteers! I want to give a shout out to Gregg Sgarlata for engineering and sales, Darren Tabron, sales marketing, promotion, and stock, and Matt Pelosi, sound engineer.
Do you favor any particular genre or G.O.A.T.?
No real, G.O.A.T. for me, but I’d say The Beach Boys, of course, The Posies, and Face-to-Face. Those are my go-to bands when I don’t know what I want to listen to. Fun fact: Ken Stringfellow from The Posies actually performed here.
What do you make of the apparent revival of record stores in the North Jersey area?
I think people realize that ownership begins with physical media and that there’s a connection to it. In the digital format, you’re actually leasing the music, so if the service or platform providing the music loses the license
Shane and Michele Murphy own Hidden Tracks, which buys and sells “physical media” and also hosts live performances and events.
to sell it, the music just disappears from the listener’s library. I read the fine print. Terms and conditions do apply.
What about the competition of neighboring vinyl stores?
I don’t really see it as competition because we’re a community. But we’re different because we have live music that supports independent artists.
How do you go about booking live performers?
There’s a number of things I consider when selecting artists. First and foremost, I book original artists, and I usually seek out touring or local performers that I think would pair great together and would put on a great show. I also scour the internet and book previous and future guests from my podcast.
Can you estimate how many records you have in your personal collection and what you have in store? Also, do you buy media as well as sell?
Probably upwards of 9,000 personal and upwards of 15,000 in store. And yes, we buy and sell all forms of physical music, except for the 8-Track Tape, which I would say was the worst media of all time!
In addition to live performances and listening parties, are there any other events that you host in the store or out in the community?
Last December, we started a nonprofit called Mending Through Music, which is in honor of my sister Lara. So, we had a benefit in the store for
the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. There were about 12 artists and 400 people attended. We had no expectations and raised about $6,000. As far as going out in the community, I host a vinyl night at a local brewery and am involved with Main Street Inc.
What’s the future of Hidden Tracks?
Well, I finally feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I like to help people, and after the loss of my sister, music helped me cope, and I want to help other people in the same way.
Whenever we have live performances, I like to think that Lara has a front row seat to every show here.
Hidden Tracks Records is located at 520 Main St. in Boonton. Follow them @hiddentracks99 or tune into Hidden Tracks podcast on Apple Music or online at www.myhiddentracks.com.
Top: Hidden Tracks boasts a performance space that is dedicated to independent musicians Murphy finds through his podcast, online, or word of mouth.
21 Pilots fans packed Hidden Tracks last month for a listening party. The line spilled onto the street and Murphy had to hold two sessions.
Left:
Legacy Dining
Hapgood’s restaurant serves up Americana with a side of history.
BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE
IIT’S AN ESTABLISHMENT and an institution.
Some may even call it an eatery. But this destination is a hidden gem that represents a slice of Americana served up fresh with a heaping side of history.
Welcome to Hapgood’s restaurant— where Mountain Lakes gathers to meet, greet, and eat.
A BITE TO EAT
The interior of Hapgood’s presents as an open combination of rustic chic further enhanced by exposed beams, high ceilings, and drop lighting to set the mood.
A communal dining island supports a festive fall menu broadcasting hot drink specials such as Pumpkin Patch Bliss: a creamy latte with pumpkin pie sauce, and the Maple Pecan Dream: a maple latte cream with crushed pecans.
An extensive menu lends itself to American comfort food such as pulled a pork sandwich and namesake creations, including a Hapgood’s BLT (applewood, bacon, brie, tomato, arugula, and garlic aioli). There is something for everyone, including vegetarians and gluten-free bites.
For the early birds, the breakfast menu serves up eye openers such as tiramisu pancakes, topped with mocha cream and espresso glaze, and fried French toast. There’s also the obligatory (but not boring) avocado toast served with poached eggs and home fries as well as an array of omelets and lighter fare such as yogurt, oatmeal, and fresh fruit.
Opposite: The Aperol Spritz at the bar at Hapgood’s. This page, top: Hapgood’s co-owner Lisa Corvelli. Bottom: Marty Martinez, manager of Hapgood’s.
TAKE A SEAT
On a recent Friday, diners lingered outside at umbrella-topped tables, taking advantage of al fresco opportunities before the cold weather swoops in. On the inside, late breakfasters nursed their remaining coffees, as a steady stream of pre-lunch traffic was intercepted by hostess Fernanda Medina, who greeted regulars by name and welcomed newcomers with just as much enthusiasm, whisking them away to tables. The servers were in top form, approaching the tables with fresh water delivered in mason jars, which were refreshed throughout the meal.
The hustle and bustle of the borough’s hot spot is exactly what owners Bill and Lisa Corvelli had in mind when they first took over the venue, adding their personal touch while paying homage to history, evidenced by well-preserved photos of Hapgood’s homes stationed throughout the restaurant.
of NFL legend Bart Oates.
In the past few months, the couple unveiled an 18-seat bar in an adjoining room that used to be a hair salon, where Lisa once worked.
The bar area consists of several dining tables and maintains the continuity of the cherry wood furnishing and historic touches that pay homage to the American Revolution. And yes, a George Washington portrait is in the house.
The bar is also a destination hangout for Herds fans who often belly up to watch a live simulcast of Friday night games.
The Corvellis are proud parents of the head running back, Massimo, as well as their other son, Dante, who plays his part in the business. Their daughter Sydney went the financial route.
Opposite page, top: The interior of
Bottom: A retro postcard given to each customer at the end of a meal.
While regulars often pack a picnic-style table on warm Sunday evenings, Hapgood’s also attracts curious diners from all corners of the state and even beyond. The eatery even recently served the likes
So, how did these restaurant owners, who hail from West Orange, come to own and operate a happening eatery? It helped that Bill is ever the entrepreneur, and when the property became available, the couple pounced.
The name was a natural fit given Herbert Hapgood’s influence on the development of Mountain Lakes, where his imprint remains
This page, top to bottom: From left— Hapgood’s server Alyssa Spero, host Fernanda Medina, server Stefania Canizares, and server Rebecca Hernandez. The Bourbon BBQ Crunch Burger. Fried French Toast, a breakfast favorite at Hapgood’s.
Hapgood’s Restaurant.
in several hundred of his namesake houses.
A persistence-goes-the-distance mindset combined with an all-hands on deck staff set the business up for success. Hapgood’s employs about 30 staffers including a chef, line cooks, manager, and hostess, to name a few.
“In order to succeed, you have to have presence, and you have to have cleanliness,” says Lisa. “Details are key.”
From the little lamps to the water served in mason jars, people notice. Those details are evidenced by the keepsake postcards that are gifted to customers at the end of the meal.
As for the future? It’s here in the now. “We are very blessed to have this place and wonderful community,” she says.
Hapgoood’s Restaurant is located at 44 Midvale Rd., Mountain Lakes and is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For more information, visit www.hapgoodsrestaurant.com.
Ellen S. Wilkowe is a writer, former journalist, and an all-around outdoor enthusiast.
A LONG HISTORY
The focal point of Midvale Road, the namesake eatery pays homage to Herbert Hapgood, the developer who put Mountain Lakes on the map with his trademark stucco houses.
The 120-year-old establishment was purchased in the late 2000s by Mountain Lakes residents Bill and Lisa Corvelli, who renovated it to reflect a fusion of past, present, and future. The makeover also included updating several apartments upstairs. The locale existed in several incarnations including Mountain Lakes Market, also known as Yakarinno’s, after the proprietor.
“It was a very important part of the town, before the advent of supermarkets in Boonton and Denville,” says Ranjan O. Bose, chairman of the Mountain Lakes historical preservation committee, who grew up directly across the street on property fronted by the stone wall.
“During the depression, Yakarinno extended credit to his customers, which kept many of them able to remain in town and fed. The stone wall along Midvale was for the property at 248 Morris Ave.—my family’s house—and there are remains of an old spring-fed well there, which early Mountain Lake families got their water from.”
A Dynasty in the Lakes
The Mountain Lakes girls’ soccer team is ready to score big this season.
BY RICH LUTTENBERGER
FFALL SPORTS HAVE begun at the local high schools, and for the Mountain Lakes girls’ soccer team, the opportunity for a “four-peat” exists, along with the possibility of an unprecedented sixth consecutive state final appearance.
The Lakers are coming off of a 21-3 season, where they won their third straight Group I title and fourth in five years (discounting the 2020 season when there were no state playoffs because of COVID-19). The team also won state sectional crowns in 2017 and 2021.
It is a dynasty that’s been built from within, and the 2025 team is ready to make an assault on history and try to become one of only a handful of public schools to win at least five group championships in girls’ soccer.
COACHING CONSISTENCY
The recent string of success began with the first sectional title in 2017, but the coaching consistency that started in the 2019 season helped cement the team’s status as a top contender in the state.
Prior to 2019, Mountain Lakes experienced quite a bit of turnover on the coaching staff. Current assistant coach Vito Scarola, whose daughter was on the 2017 sectional championship squad, knew the potential of the younger athletes in the program from all his years coaching the Mountain Lakes - Boonton Township - Boonton (MLBTB) travel team, and he signed on in 2019.
In 2022, Sean Maurizi became the head varsity coach at the high school, moving up from his long-time position as the Briarcliff Middle School coach, where his team won the Morris County title the year before.
Maurizi, with the help of Scarola, then led the Lakers to three straight Group I championships.
PROGRAM, COMMUNITY, AND FAMILY
The program has benefitted from a lot of talented individuals, and there have been several former Lakers who went on to play Division I soccer. However,
Maurizi and Scarola are proud of the team-oriented, program-first mentality of their players over the years.
The players stay grounded, buying in to the team-first concept. “No one feels above the program,” Maurizi notes.
This may be partially due to the fact that many of these girls have been playing soccer together in the MLBTB program since second grade. They have relationships that have been developing for the better part of a decade.
Another contributing factor to the successful culture is the family vibe within the program. The coaches have a great rapport with the players, and there is a lot of team chemistry as well as a love for their school.
“It’s pretty uncanny,” Scarola says about the girls on their bus rides home from games. “They sing the alma mater up the driveway. They live and breathe Mountain Lakes together.”
This all feeds into the positive culture that leads to more winning and more kids wanting to be part of that kind of program.
OWNERSHIP AND EMPOWERMENT
A cornerstone of success for the program has been the leadership over the years, especially from within. Maurizi is extremely proud of the way his captains have led recently, and one influential factor has been the ownership the girls have had on their team. Maurizi gives his girls a voice, which changes their mentality. It creates a belief that this is their team, and they can have more influence on their own success.
“When you give them ownership, they step up and they buy in. They know they have responsibility, and it’s on them,” Scarola says. “I think that’s been the difference.”
Scarola cites empowerment as another staple of the program. “We really try to teach the girls to coach themselves, make adaptations on the field on the fly, and know that we’re allowing them that freedom,” he says. “Knowing that we have the confidence in them to do that, they rise to the occasion. They surprise us,” he says.
“We focus on the positives,” Maurizi adds. “We let them play through mistakes.”
This teaching method builds confidence, allowing for more growth and trust across the program.
As the 2025 season continues, the Mountain Lakes girls’ soccer team will continue to work toward their goal of winning another state championship. They also hope to make it far in the ever-challenging Morris County Tournament.
“If we go deep, that means we’re playing very well,” Scarola says, citing the incredible talent and competition of the programs in Morris County.
Even if they don’t win the counties, which is a very tall order for a Group I school, Maurizi loves the tournament and believes it prepares the girls for the larger state tournaments.
The players themselves expect to compete at a high level every
time they step onto the field. The current team enjoyed success while in middle school as they were watching their older sisters win at the high school. Now, the current senior class has only experienced high school seasons that have ended with state championships. Seniors Emma McAuliffe and twin sisters Kristine and Katelyn Squeglia will lead the 2025 team as captains as they try to get back to the state final and try to do what only a few public schools have ever done: win four consecutive Group I titles.
They have confidence, and they believe that they can win. And they have a chance to cement their place among the best dynasties this state has ever seen.
Rich Luttenberger is a life-long Morris County resident. He is a teacher at Morris Knolls High School, writer, and occasional podcast cohost for the “Sobs of Saturday,” a multimedia platform focused on Virginia Tech sports.
Stringing and Singing
A duo of dads finds their groove in Mountain Lakes.
BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE
AA NEW MUSICAL DUO, The Blocked Toms, is taking over the Mountain Lakes music scene.
Except neither one of them is actually named Tom.
Brian Savage works in law and Andrew Armani works with paws.
The two Mountain Lakes dads crossed paths by way of their children and the simple sighting of a guitar at a party.
So, one string led to another, and in late 2020, the two dads started collaborating and took their show on the road, making their debut appearance at a Fourth of July house party in Mountain Lakes.
The duo identifies as “plugged-in
acoustic,” and their genres run the gamut from classic to ’90s rock, folk, and pop as well as current hits—think Chappell Roan and Taylor Swift.
“We try to play songs that—if we heard some band covering at a party or a bar—we’d think ‘wow, I love that song, and I can’t believe they’re playing it,’” Savage says. “That may include older songs that you don’t hear every day, but you remember them well, even well enough to sing along, and maybe they bring back some cool memories from years ago.”
A sample from a playlist hits all the notes from:“You’re So Bad” (Tom
Petty), “Anti-Hero” (Taylor Swift), “Everywhere” (Fleetwood Mac), “I Wanna Get Better” (Bleachers), “Blister in the Sun” (Violent Femmes), “Dial Drunk Duet” (Noah Kahn and Post Malone), and “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (Oasis), to name a handful.
This past summer, they performed at Island Beach as part of the borough’s summer concert series, and they recently raised the roof at Herdtemberfest, the annual high school football fundraiser, which is held at a private residence. The pair also takes the stage for charitable causes such as Taste of Chatham.
Opposite page: Andrew Armani (left) and Brian Savage.
BEHIND THE NAME
The Blocked Toms pays homage to Armani’s veterinary background and refers to a condition in a male cat. “It’s not a good condition,” he says. “Basically, the cat can’t go to the bathroom (number one).”
There’s also the reference to foolery as in tomfoolery, Armani adds.
The Blocked Toms put themselves on the map mostly via the house party circuit, and word of mouth travels fast. To date, they have amassed 4.5 hours of songs. The two of them have drawn their inspirations from The Band, Grateful Dead, Bleachers, and David Grey.
The musicians are self-taught with Savage picking up the guitar in his teens and Armani in his 20s. They jammed their way through college right up until graduate school when the guitars took a backseat to books.
ONTO MOUNTAIN LAKES
So, how did two out-of-state guitarists wind their way into Mountain Lakes?
Savage made his way here in 2019 following a job relocation from Philadelphia to Parsippany. Shortly after, he and his wife Julie landed a blurb in a local newspaper for purchasing a home that dates back to 1915. In addition to music, the two men also discovered and share a passion for old houses, and Mountain Lakes is full of them.
Armani, a Maryland native, found his way here in 2018, but only after taking Florida for a test drive first.
“We moved here for the schools,” Armani says. “But we love it here. It’s such a strong community.” In juggling work, family, and pets, they’re taking their side hustle in stride. “It’s just a lot of fun and a great outlet,” Armani says.
It also helps to have supportive spouses as well as musically-inclined children, who occasionally like to share the spotlight with their dads on stage. The up-and-coming Armani kids include Annalise (15), Stella (13), and Martin (10), while the Savage kiddos are Bernie (12), Rudy (8), and Uzi (6).
And for the record, both musicians are also proud pet parents; Armani is owned by two dogs, Louis and Giorgi, and the Savages are owned by one of each, a dog Jenny and a cat Richard—but he is not a Blocked Tom.
Life in Mountain Lakes and the surrounding areas is about more than houses— it’s about community, connection, and the beauty of lakeside living. And, Selling a home is more than a transaction—it’s your equity, your memories, and your time on the line.
For 27 years, The Menard Group has been the trusted champions of Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township homeowners. Backed by deep community knowledge and the insight of a builder’s perspective, we know how to highlight what makes your property unique and valuable. We simplify the complex, negotiate tenaciously, and handle every detail personally with honesty and integrity so you can move forward with confidence!
Presented by Mary Menard, Your Local Real Estate Expert. The accuracy of the statistical data in this table is not guaranteed by Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township magazine. The listings broadly represent the local real estate market rather than the listings of any single agent or agency. Source: GSMLS: 7/23/25 - 9/18/25.
When Wealth Doesn’t Matter, and the Golden Years Suck
Don’t wait to get the best years of your life started.
BY LYLE WEINTRAUB
LET ME TELL YOU a story. Perhaps it’s similar to one you’ve heard before. I had a client. A great guy. A family man. He was well-educated, worked hard, and made partner at a big accounting firm. He always put off vacations or worked right through them, never present in life, because there was always business to attend to. This client knew he was making sacrifices, but he thought he was simply deferring his happiness until he had time to enjoy it down the road. Then, one day at home, he suddenly collapsed and died on the spot of a widow-maker heart attack. He was 52 years old and never got to reap the rewards of his hard work.
I’ve seen how unexpected situations can quickly alter life plans in my own world. My parents moved to Florida when my father was 55 years old. As a recovering garmento, he decided to sell homes until my mother became ill at age 62. I remember a conversation where he said sarcastically, “These are the golden years, and they suck!” I couldn’t help but laugh, even though he wasn’t kidding. My father passed about nine years ago at age 76, and this quote has stuck with
me—even after all these years.
I have been a financial advisor for more than 30 years, and what I’ve come to learn is that the image of the golden years (you know the one— handholding on a park bench with grey hair and matching sweaters at sunset) will be a fallacy for the vast majority of us. What I suggest instead is that the golden years are today.
When clients come to me from another advisor, I ask them a series of questions: “If you went to the doctor today and found out you had a year to live but would feel healthy for that year, what would you change? What would you do? What would you regret?”
These are important questions to contemplate, because time is short. If we are fortunate, we’ll have good health until our mid-70s. But from there, for most, everything gets more difficult.
If you don’t currently have enough financial peace of mind to enjoy life, or don’t feel comfortable spending your wealth in ways that bring you and your loved ones joy, find an advisor who can provide both strong financial strategies and perspective. As I’ve seen firsthand, wealth is worthless if you don’t live wealthfully (as I like to call it). But with a great team and a little thoughtfulness, the golden years—which start today— won’t suck.
Lyle Weintraub, CFP®, is a managing director for OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners — Parsippany in Fairfield, New Jersey. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at lyle.weintraub@onepointbfg.com.
Restaurant Guide
Hungry for more? Check out these nearby eateries—there’s a flavor for everyone.
In sync with the turning leaves, it’s time to turn over a new page and crack open a brand-new book. The Mountain Lakes Public Library unleashed their October must-read recommendations, and some might make you go, wow!
RECOMMENDATIONS COURTESY OF THE MOUNTAIN LAKES PUBLIC LIBRARY; WORDS BY ELLEN S. WILKOWE
NON-FICTION BOOKS
ALL THE WAY TO THE RIVER
By Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert, who has been married twice to men, falls in love with her best friend Rayya, but only admits it after Rayya was diagnosed with cancer and given a few months to live. This heartache poses many questions to the reader: What if your happy ever after turned into your biggest nightmare?
TRULY
By Lionel Richie
Soul sensation and American Idol judge tells all from growing up in Alabama in the peak of the civil rights movement and his epic rise to becoming a household name by way of the Commodores, followed by a successful solo career that made him known around the world.
NOBODY’S GIRL: A MEMOIR OF SURVIVING ABUSE AND FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE
By Virginia Roberts Giuffre Giuffre offers an unsparing and definitive account of her time with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who trafficked her and others to numerous prominent men. Giuffre remade her life from scratch and summoned the courage to not only
hold her abusers accountable but also advocate for other victims. The pages of “Nobody’s Girl” preserve her voice— and her legacy—forever.
THE ANTHONY BOURDAIN READER
By Anthony Bourdain, edited by Kimberly Witherspoon
The late, great Anthony Bourdain is further memorialized by his longtime agent and friend Kimberly Witherspoon. The surfacing of new material includes teenage diary entries, unpublished short stories, and chapters from an unfinished novel. This collection illustrates his most fascinating writing to date and touches upon his many pursuits and passions. Most of all, it solidifies Bourdain’s identity as a writer.
FICTION
THE SECRET OF SECRETS
By Dan Brown
Professor Langdon is on the move, this time to Prague, where his scientist girlfriend is about to publish a whopper of a book on the nature of the human mind, His plans are diverted by his girlfriend’s sudden disappearance and a separate but horrific murder. The saga expands to London and New York as Langdon searches for his girlfriend and answers. A race that
transcends futuristic science and mystical lore, Langdon uncovers a shocking truth surrounding a secret project that will forever change the way we think about the human mind.
WHAT WE CAN KNOW
By Ian McEwan
At a dinner party, a famous writer reads a poem he’s created for his beloved wife Vivien’s birthday. A copy of the poem disappears and is seemingly lost in time. A century later, with the world keeling from a nuclear disaster, a British scholar goes on a quest to find the poem. This is a true literary detective love story, which reclaims the present from an overriding sense of catastrophe and imagines a more promising future where all is not quite lost.
THE LAND OF SWEET FOREVER: STORIES AND ESSAYS
By Harper Lee
This new collection from Pulitzer Prize winning author Harper Lee features unpublished short stories and essays that were discovered in her New York City apartment following her death in 2016. The writing explores her native Alabama and life in Gotham and sheds light on a determined young writer, penning furiously, driven by her desire to be published in magazines.
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
Douglas Elliman Real Estate Office
Office: (212) 350.8500
Moblie: (646) 580.8609
Josh.Sarnell@elliman.com
575 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022
119 Kingsland Road
Discover a rare opportunity to own 29 acres of scenic land in Boonton Twp. This unique property includes a renovated ranch-style home with several different possibilities. This beautifully renovated ranch-style home offers three spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms, blending comfort and functionality. The inviting living areas feature an open layout with plenty of natural light, perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The kitchen boasts modern updates and connects seamlessly to the dining and living spaces. A finished lower level provides additional versatile space for recreation, a home office, or storage. Outside, enjoy a secluded patio and deck ideal for relaxing or hosting gatherings. Completing the home is an attached garage, offering convenience and extra storage. The expansive acreage offers rolling woodlands, open fields, and stunning natural surroundings, providing ample space for other facilities including pool, or recreational amenities. Ideally located with access to major highways, NYC transit, dining, and shopping, this property combines privacy with connectivity. Whether envisioned as a larger home, 119 Kingsland Rd offers the perfect setting to bring your vision to life.
YOU NEVER KNOW who’s going to pop into your yard unannounced around here. Just ask Ranjan O. Bose of Mountain Lakes, who captured, on two separate occasions, a black bear and red fox dropping into his backyard for a quick visit.
Have a great image for Photo Op?
Submit your high-resolution shot to ellen.wilkowe@ wainscotmedia.com
OVERNIGHT, Sandra Fava, founding partner in Fava Law, knows that her clients need a trusted and zealous advocate to help them navigate the complex and emotional process of family law issues. Sandra provides effective strategies, innovative solutions and compassionate counsel, all of which lead to an easier transition to her clients’ next phase of life.
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