My Mo-Town
TOP 12 TIPS FOR HEALTHIER LIVING IN MORRISTOWN
ENGINE OF CURIOSITY
MORRIS MUSEUM
MAGAZINE
WELCOME TO MY MO-TOWN!
sSOMETHING ABOUT launching
My Mo-Town, our new Morristownfocused magazine, in March just feels right. After all, not only is March 20 the first day of spring—the season of new beginnings—but on March 14, the much-loved St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Morris County, a tradition since 1979, will bring more than 50,000 people to these streets. March is when Morristown really struts its stuff, making this month the perfect time to introduce our new
community magazine.
My Mo-Town will bring you a closer look at some of the local businesses, nonprofits, and people who make Morristown so special. In this inaugural issue, you’ll find a profile of Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen, a local in-home chef service that helps everyone from professional athletes to local families eat healthy. You’ll learn about changes at the Morris Museum, and its plans for thought-provoking exhibits and even renovation. And we’ll walk you through ways to improve your health without ever leaving town.
Each month, we’ll introduce you to new restaurants and shops and share the latest intel about businesses that form the backbone of this community. We also want to hear from you! Do you have a story to contribute, know a business that would be interesting to highlight, or have a great photo of your favorite spot in town?
Our inbox is open! Send any and all ideas to me at the email address below.
This magazine is about you and for you.
We hope you enjoy it!
Christine Bockelman Editor, My Mo-Town christine.bockelman@wainscotmedia.com
@mymotownmag
Sales Director
Maryam Taghipour
Maryam.Taghipour@wainscotmedia.com
Editor and Lead Writer
Christine Bockelman
Writers
Mary Lynn Becza
Sophia Carlisle
Photographer Steve Hockstein
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
Executive Editor Elaine Quilici
Art Director
Rosemary O’Connell
Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer
Operations Director Catherine Rosario
Production Designer Chris Ferrante
Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam
Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden
My Mo-Town magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Morristown and Morris Township, 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.
Glow With Confidence
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Results-driven facials personalized for your skin and schedule. Quick refreshes or full treatments leave you glowing and confident every time. Your glow awaits.
NEW EATS
Just a few of the new spots to grab a bite or enjoy a fine meal.
Mashed Burgers This Halal-certified burger chain, which already has four other New Jersey locations, has brought its flavorful smashed burgers, fresh toppings, and sweet treats like churros and milkshakes to town. 46 S. Park Place. www.mashedburgers.com
Las Brisaz This is the second New Jersey outpost of this family-friendly Salvadorian restaurant, which focuses on fresh, made-on-site fare. Offering a deep menu of salads, authentic pupusas, pupusa pizzas, sopas, and more. 63 Morris St. www.lasbrisazrestaurant.com
Cotto This stylish new eatery from Stirling Restaurant Group offers ingredient-driven, modern Italian dishes from Executive Chef Jordan Petriello, who has honed his culinary skills at Il Nido in Marlboro and several Michelin-starred New York City restaurants, including Rendôra. Now serving lunch, too! 90 South St. www.dinecotto.com
The Meltique
Brought to you by the owner of Apricot, come here for savory crepes, a range of matcha and coffee drinks (try the Tahini Latte!) and a mouthwatering array of sweetly flavored crepes, bubble waffles, and more.
174 South St. www.themeltique.com
It’s Showtime!
When it comes to stage shows, Morristown has it all. This month, enjoy famous musicians, local playwrights, and outstanding high school theater without leaving town.
Nonprofit theatre company Pioneer Productions is once again giving voice to local playwrights with its 3rd annual New Play Reading Series. The 11 plays selected for the series were chosen from about 100 entries, and include plays about unicorns, chance meetings, and a student submission examining a family’s grief. Readings are free and will include audience discussions.
This year, there’s even a Morristown playwright in the mix. Kristen Neymarc’s play, “The Morristown Ghost Reboot,” is about three teenagers, a ghost, and AI. It’s also inspired by a true story. Intrigued? The New Play Reading Series is March 25, April 8, and April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Morristown & Morris Plains Library. For more information and a schedule of the plays being read each night, visit www.pioneerproductions.com.
DO YOU KNOW about a can’t-miss event or new business coming to Morristown? Email christine.bockelman@ wainscotmedia.com and share your insight!
Don’t miss Morristown High School theater department’s sureto-be-excellent, student-run production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Last spring’s musical, “Les Misérables,” won a slew of prestigious BergenPAC High School Musical Awards, including Outstanding Overall Musical, Best Musical Direction, and Best Ensemble. Senior Jackson Miller, who won Best Actor in a Male-Identified Supporting Role as Javert in “Les Misérables,” is taking on the role of Tevye. Performances will be March 12, 13, and 14 at 7 p.m. and March 15 at 2 p.m. Purchase tickets at https://mhs.booktix.com.
MHS Fall 2025 production of Little Women. From left: Helene Gringeri as Meg March, Layna Arvanites as Amy March, Olivia Montague as Beth March, Amelia Corcoran as Hannah, and Abby Higgins as Marmee.
PHOTOGRAPH BY LORS PHOTOGRAPHY
Pioneer Productions actors performing “Eventually Ever After” by Dan Mauer at last year’s New Play Reading Series. PHOTOGRAPH BY PIONEER PRODUCTIONS
Mayo Performing Arts Center brings a slew of can’t-miss shows this month. Shows include 30th anniversary tours by Kenny Wayne Shepherd (March 12) and The Ten Tenors (March 26), a restaging of the comic operetta “The Mikado” by the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (March 27), and “Dream Like Taylor,” starring Taylor Swift impersonator Cassie B (March 15). For a full schedule and tickets, visit www.mayoarts.org.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd performs with his band at MPAC on March 12.
PHOTOGRAPH BY LARRY PHILPOT
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Mo-Town!
We’ve rounded up everything from parade details to where to get your corned beef fix, so all you have to do is celebrate!
Where to Get Your Corned Beef Fix
No matter if you want big parties or simple celebrations for St. Paddy’s day, Morristown has you covered. We’ve rounded up a quick list of places that will definitely have you saying, “Erin go Bragh!”
Dublin Pub starts the party early on parade day offering live Irish music inside and outside, and a large tent with full bar and beer truck. From 9 a.m. through the start of the parde at noon, grab-and-go sandwiches will be available from the bar. On the 17th, they’ll have live Irish music inside and a full menu with Irish-inspired specials.
Grasshopper on the Green is planning an all day, family-friendly celebration on the 17th. Their menu will include classics like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, and more. Bagpipers and Irish dancers will pass through to entertain, and there will be live Irish music all day.
Starting March 13, head to Pastrami House for some homemade, cooked-on-site corned beef. Choose between the cabbage and corned beef platter—served with potatoes, carrots, and cabbage—or a sandwich, with meat sliced however you like and piled on fresh-baked rye bread. Don’t forget to grab some of their soda bread!
For a slight twist, head to Verrilli’s Bakery (3 Martin Luther King Ave.) starting March 13. Instead of serving corned beef sandwich on the traditional rye bread, they put it on a homemade potato roll to add just a touch of sweetness. They’re also offering a corned beef and cabbage platter and Irish soda bread. Call to order and they’ll have it ready for you.
Morristown will be full of green and good times on March 14, when the St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Morris County kicks off at noon on South Street. Organizers expect similar numbers to last year, when 110 marching units, nine floats, 12 firetrucks, seven dance groups, 15 pipe bands, and nine marching bands took to the streets to perform for more than 50,000 spectators.
Even your dog can get into the Irish spirit thanks to Morristown-based Ollie Pop Design Co. Find more styles at www.olliepopdesignco.com.
Mayo Performing Arts Center has two options to get you in the St. Paddy’s Day mood this month. “Riverdance 30— The New Generation” (March 6) offers the same muchloved blend of Irish and international dance and music as the original. On this anniversary tour, the choreography, costumes, lighting, and motion graphics are all new. What’s more, all the performers are new; none of them was even born when the show began 30 years ago. If you’re more into Irish music, The High Kings bring their mix of traditional Irish folk songs and modern, original music to the stage for “The Rocky Road Tour” (March 11).
Above: Each year, the parade is a familyfriendly good time.
Left: The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Morris County, who co-sponsor the parade with the Irish American Association of Northwest Jersey, march with large Irish and U.S. flags used to collect donations for local charities from the crowd.
Only Good Spirits
Morristown cocktail bar Dismal Harmony Distilling knows the art and science of a good drink.
BY MY MO-TOWN STAFF
AS A KID, Bob Dillon could often be found taking things apart and putting them back together to figure out how they worked. As an adult, that same curiosity—and a love of cocktails— led him to start tinkering with whiskey, bourbon, and other spirits.
“I’ve always been interested in how things are made,” he says. “It’s fascinating to me that whiskeys and bourbons come from the same grains you can also use to make bread.”
In 2017, he started experimenting in his basement with flavorings and techniques to distill his own bourbon and whiskey. “It was supposed to be just a hobby, but once I started getting into gin, too, we knew we had to do something bigger,” he says.
Something bigger meant Dismal Harmony Distilling, the Morristown cocktail bar and distillery that he opened in 2024 with his wife, Karen. And yes, almost everyone asks them about the name. Turns out that in addition to being poetic, it has local and sentimental ties. “The dismal harmony preserve is in Mendham, where we live,” Karen explains.
“We just loved the dichotomy of the name, and we thought it was something people would remember.”
BACK TO THE BELLE EPOQUE
With its wood-paneled walls, rich carved moldings, and distinctly Belle Epoque vibe, Dismal Harmony is not your typical watering hole. This is a place where you sit and savor a cocktail. Each drink is dreamed up
Left: Enjoying a whiskey sour at the bar PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBBY SEIBERT AND LAUREN NOVOTNY
The Green
This silky cocktail, the brainchild of Dismal Harmony Distilling mixologist and general manager Robby Seibert, is refreshing, sweet, tropical, floral—and just a little bit caffeinated.
INGREDIENTS
• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1/4 oz Dismal Harmony Monk
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz pistachio orgeat
• 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder
• egg white
INSTRUCTIONS
In a shaker tin, add syrup, matcha powder, lime juice, Monk, vodka, and egg white. Dry shake for 8-10 seconds. Add ice, shake for 8-10 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with matcha powder on the froth.
by mixologist and general manager Robby Seibert using Dismal Harmony’s spirits and liqueurs, all distilled on site. “We couldn’t have done this without him,” Bob says. “You cannot have a good cocktail bar without a good mixologist.”
Dismal Harmony offers six “base spirits”—malt whiskey, rum, gin, bourbon, agave spirit, and vodka—and seven flavored liqueurs, including the coffee-flavored Barista and Joe D’s limoncello. Seibert uses all of these to create cocktails like Rendezvous (made using Monk, pineapple, coconut, lime) and The Back Nine (Joe D’s limoncello, Dismal Harmony bourbon, peach tea, lemon juice, peach bitters). There are also standards like espresso martinis and margaritas, also created using Dismal Harmony products.
AWARD-WINNING LIQUEURS
Recently, one of Dismal Harmony’s most popular, and most original, liqueurs, Vidisha’s Masala, won Best in Show at the 2025 American Craft Spirits Competition. “Vidisha’s
Masala has cumin and curry, but when you get into the background, you can start to detect a little cinnamon, a little bit of cloves,” Bob explains as his eyes light up. “It’s completely unique.” As Karen says, “It’s Indian food in a glass.” Monk, the distillery’s Chartreuse, which features lemon balm, peppermint, and other herbs, roots, and botanicals, also won big, taking home a gold medal at the competition. Both wins were huge achievements for this small distillery; Bob describes the Vidisha’s Masala win as “the craft spirits equivalent of winning an Oscar.”
Their newest liqueur, Recado, is inspired by the spices of Yucatan cuisine. Translating those complex flavors into a liqueur was a challenging process, Bob says. “I started by trying some of the hotter chilis, and it was just undrinkable. It was way too spicy.”
Of course, he enjoyed every second of tinkering with it until he got it just right.
Dismal Harmony Distilling, located at 77 Morris St., is for guests 21 and over only. Open Tuesday through Sunday. www.dismalharmony.com
Above: Bob Dillon (far left) and his wife Karen (far right), owners of Dismal Harmony Distilling, pose in the bar with staff. Robby Seibert (fourth from left) is mixologist and general manager.
PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBBY SEIBERT AND LAUREN NOVOTNY
Drawn to Healing
In art therapy, a picture can be worth far more than 1,000 words.
BY CHRISTINE BOCKELMAN
INTERVIEW WITH TRACEY SAIA
FOR LICENSED ART therapist Tracey Saia, LPAT, MS, ATR-BC, ATCS, even a simple drawing of a stick figure could be a powerful therapeutic tool. “Art therapy isn’t about being a good artist,” says Saia, who is based in Morristown. “It’s about helping people find the words to talk about themselves and make sense of what has happened to them in their lives.” We sat down with Saia, who has been an art therapist for 25 years, to talk about who could benefit from art therapy (spoiler: everyone!), and to understand how art and therapy go hand in hand.
Tell us about your background and what led you to art therapy?
As a kid, I was always drawing. I found it helped keep me regulated and calm, and it felt good to create and have a form of expression. In college, I majored in psychology because I have always been interested in how people think and their perspectives on the world. It wasn’t until I joined the workforce that a colleague suggested I combine my interests and introduced me to art therapy.
Do you have to be a good artist to benefit from art therapy?
Absolutely not. Your skill or lack of skill has absolutely nothing to do with art therapy. Sometimes art therapy is as simple as me giving you something to do with your hands to reduce your anxiety and help you to loosen up. For example, if I’m working with a child who is being bullied at the lunch table, that kid might be hesitant to talk about what’s happening. So, I might pull out some art materials to help the child unwind a little bit. The art could be completely insignificant, and I’m just using it as a way to create comfort. Or I might ask the child to associate different colors with feelings, and maybe that will help them to express how they are feeling.
What might a session look like with adults?
For adults, we usually start a session with talking. If they reach an emotional block or can’t find the right words, we might shift to art. I might ask them to draw something related to whatever they’re having a hard time talking about. Let’s say they draw a stick figure in a box. I’ll ask them to tell me about the stick figure: Does it feel suffocated? Is there something heavy on top of it? And since we are talking about this abstract stick figure, not about the patient, it can help the words come a little bit easier.
What are some misconceptions about this field?
People often assume art therapy is arts and crafts or that I’m an art teacher. In reality, it’s a licensed therapeutic practice that requires specialized training. It isn’t just about drawing or creating pictures. I use lots of visual tools—timelines, pie charts, drawings, and more—to help people process and organize their emotions and thoughts. Even the choice of materials is important. Using the wrong material with someone can make them feel uncomfortable or frustrated, and be more harmful than helpful. Before starting art therapy with someone, I need to understand what they can handle. A germaphobe might not like to handle clay or someone might be sensitive to the scratching sound of a pencil. There is so much more to art therapy than people think.
Top and bottom: Tracey Saia leads sessions at a recent Concerned Persons for Adoption conference.
Who benefits most from this approach?
Truly, everyone can benefit. Art therapy helps with emotional regulation, executive functioning, self-expression, and building insight. I’ve spent decades working with survivors of domestic violence and other trauma, but I also work with people who are just having a hard time explaining their feelings. For instance, if I’m working with an older adult who can’t seem to talk about their childhood, even asking them to do a simple doodle can be a catalyst to unlocking memories. Lots of people carefully choose every single word they say, and if I ask a question, they give a very controlled, carefully thought-out response. Sometimes creating a simple drawing can loosen you up a bit, and help you actually start to see your abstract thoughts. Art can help you see what you cannot say.
What is your goal when working with a client?
For me, art therapy is really about empowerment. I want all my clients to gain coping skills and the
confidence to go out into the world and know that they’ve built strength and resiliency. I want people to use what they learn to move on and better themselves and feel optimistic and positive about their life. It can be hard in therapy of any kind, when you are always looking backward and talking about yucky stuff. I want everyone I work with to know that they are going to get to where they feel better about their lives.
Is there a connection between art and memory?
Yes! Everyone has very strong pathways between their creative side and their memory. Think about how you used to feel calmer just by doodling while talking on the phone. Or during the COVID-19 pandemic when adult coloring books were so popular. Creating art influences your mood, and creating it requires a certain level of focus. Art therapy can even be used with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Much like a certain song or smell can bring you back to a certain time or place,
creating a picture can encourage the brain of someone with memory issues to recall a memory or story.
Does creativity in general support mental health, even outside therapy?
Absolutely. There have been many studies that state creative activities can activate beneficial neural pathways, reduce stress, and improve mood. Art can help people feel more grounded. Creativity also helps so much with focus and mindfulness. If you are writing a poem or making a picture, it’s about the here and now and what you’re working to create. Creating art can lead to a deeper understanding of yourself, and that’s part of what makes it a powerful therapy tool.
Tracey Saia, LPAT, MS, ATR-BC, ATCS, offers private and group art therapy sessions at 84 Maple Ave. in Morristown. For information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.traceyesaia.com.
The art materials area at Saia’s office contains everything from crayons and clay to glue and pipe cleaners.
Cooking Up HEALTH
B
Left: Chef Brianna Sebasto, founder of personal chef service Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen. Top: Sebasto selecting olive oil at a specialty shop. PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEN OCEANA PHOTOGRAPHY
Bottom right: Sebasto as a child in her father’s backyard garden.
Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen brings healthy meals straight to your table.
BY CHRISTINE BOCKELMAN
BBRIANNA SEBASTO wasn’t a kid who refused to eat her vegetables. She grew up loving tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, and more—all picked fresh from her father’s and grandparents’ New Jersey backyard gardens. Her childhood was full of gardento-table cuisine like minestrone soup and pasta e fagioli, which her grandmother, an Italian immigrant, taught Sebasto to cook from scratch. “I really grew up going out to the backyard, picking fresh fruits and vegetables, and cooking them for lunch with my grandmother,” she says.
Her childhood centered on cooking fresh produce was so impactful, Sebasto turned it into her career. Today, she is the owner of Morristown-based Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen, a personal chef business focused on cooking with whole, fresh foods—like the ones from her grandmother’s garden. “The time I spent with my grandparents was really pivotal for me,” she says. Her path from her grandmother’s kitchen to becoming a personal chef wasn’t entirely linear, though. She majored in marketing in college and spent a few years after graduation working in an office. “I was really unhappy,” she says. “I just wasn’t passionate about what I was doing.”
Following her heart, she walked away and took a job working for a family in Chester with two teenage boys. She spent her days driving carpool and helping the mom with whatever she needed while continuing to look for a corporate job that was a better fit. Then, one day, the mom asked if Sebasto could
cook dinner, and everything changed. Sebasto realized that the things she enjoys most—menu planning, grocery shopping, food prep, and getting a healthy dinner made with whole foods on the table—were a huge chore for some people. “I love going to local farms and grocery stores and picking up fresh ingredients,” Sebasto says. “I love planning menus and cooking, and I even love the clean-up.”
FINDING HER PASSION
A lightbulb went off for Sebasto. “I was completely in love with how much of a difference I was making in this family’s life by using the skills my grandmother gave me,” she says. Soon, she began to wonder if other families would pay her to handle the monster task of feeding their families healthy, home-cooked, delicious meals. “I could see how much of a pain point
Brianna’s Zucchini and Carrot Fritters
These gluten-free, nut-free fritters can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge for five days or frozen for up to one month.
Makes about 8 servings.
INGREDIENTS
• 3–4 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups carrots, coarsely grated
• 2 cups zucchini, coarsely grated
• ¾ cup gluten-free breadcrumbs (plus more as needed)
• 2 scallions, finely sliced (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 small chili pepper (jalapeño or serrano), finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• Neutral oil for frying (such as avocado)
• Optional: microgreens, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Whisk the eggs. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
2. Prepare the vegetables. In another large bowl, coarsely grate the carrots and zucchini using a box grater. Tip: For crispier fritters, squeeze out excess moisture from the zucchini with a clean kitchen towel.
3. Combine ingredients. Add the whisked eggs, breadcrumbs, scallions, chili pepper, and cilantro to the grated vegetables. Mix thoroughly. If the mixture feels too wet, add more breadcrumbs. If too dry, add a little beaten egg or water.
4. Cook the fritters. Heat 2–3 tablespoons of oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, drop 4 spoonfuls of the mixture into the skillet, flattening slightly with a spatula. Cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp.
5. Cool and repeat. Transfer cooked fritters to a wire rack to cool slightly. Repeat with the remaining mixture, adding more oil as needed.
6. Garnish and serve. Top with sliced scallions, fresh cilantro, and/or microgreens. Serve warm and enjoy!
cooking healthy dinners was for this mother, and how stressful it was for her to feed her family each day.” She scribbled down a business plan, started quite literally knocking on doors to drum up business, and Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen was born.
Today, Sebasto has a staff of 15 professionals, including 10 other chefs, many of whom are also health coaches, she handpicked. Most of her clients, ranging from local families to high-profile New York Jets and Giants players, engage Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen to do weekly meal-prep service. This includes a chef coming to the home two days a week, armed with groceries purchased fresh that morning.
“We prep and cook everything right in your home, and clean it all up afterward,” Sebasto says. It works like a subscription service, so the same chef comes to your house each week at the same time.
Meal plans are highly personalized. While Sebasto is quick to point out she isn’t a
doctor, she is skilled at following low-salt, diabetes-friendly, low-inflammatory and other diets provided by nutritionists and medical professionals. For athletes, who understand that what they put in their body is going to influence their performance, she often creates meals that follow strict macros.
“Everything we do is completely custom,” she says. “If a client only wants us to shop at a certain farm stand or fishmonger, we do that. If they want their meals packaged individually or family style, we’ll do that.”
Sebasto also offers cooking classes for people looking to learn knife skills or how to better season their food. (Her tip: Taste as you go!) She and her team also cater dinner parties, family events like wedding brunches and baby showers, and even romantic dinners at home for couples who don’t want to hire a sitter.
Her favorite part? “I’m so happy to be helping people,” she says.
“There are so many people who find cooking overwhelming or too time-consuming, or just don’t like to do it. I love that we can come into your home and make your life easier.”
For more information, head to www.briannasnutritionkitchen.com.
Christine Bockelman is the editor of My Mo-Town.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEN OCEANA
PHOTOGRAPHY
Stepping Into the FUTURE
The Morris Museum is in the middle of a makeover you won’t want to miss.
BY CHRISTINE BOCKELMAN
RRECENTLY, DOZENS of people gathered at the Morris Museum for a members-only sneak peek at a thought-provoking new exhibit. “Perennial Land,” running through April 5, is an immersive video installation created by two Jersey City-based artists— Laia Cabrera and Isabelle Duverger—that pushes visitors to examine their own role in climate change. It’s an experiential, modern-leaning exhibit that makes one thing very clear: This isn’t the colonialportrait-filled Morris Museum you remember.
Driving the change is President and CEO Tom Loughman, a Delbarton grad and global arts professional who returned to Morris County in 2023 to transform the museum he visited as a kid.
“We are pushing the boundaries a little bit,” Loughman says. “The people who work and live in Morris County are super sophisticated, extremely well educated, and culturally ambitious.”
The museum’s reach is growing, too. In the past year, about 50% of the people who walked through the doors lived outside Morris County, including visitors from 49 states and 20 countries. “We’re really serving a global public,” Loughman says.
ONE-OF-A-KIND EXHIBITS
Most of the exhibits are one-ofa-kind, curated especially for
the museum, and often have a purposeful local connection. For example, “Perennial Land” features video of Frelinghuysen Arboretum and text that refers specifically to environmental concerns in Morristown and Morris County. Recently, the museum showcased some of its collection of African ritual masks alongside pieces from Jersey City-based painter Troy Jones, who uses African ritual masks as inspiration in some of his portraits. Another recent installation, “Take 5,” showcased and interpreted five pieces of Japanese art selected by Midori Yoshimoto, a postwar Japanese
Morris Museum President and CEO
Tom Loughman
art expert, from the museum’s vast collection of more than 45,000 art and material cultural objects.
“We’re connecting the art of our time to our historical collections from around the world,” says Loughman. “It’s really opened up some new conversations for people.”
In addition to new exhibits, there also has been increased focus on live cultural performances and community connection, including
participation in the greaterMorristown Día de los Muertos celebration. Last year, the museum even had its first float in the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
OLD BUILDING, NEW PLANS
In October, the museum was honored for innovation in the arts at a breakfast hosted by the Morris County Tourism Bureau. “The award showed that the public can
CURRENT EXHIBIT SAMPLER
rely on us to consistently provide world-class art and science experiences,” Loughman says.
“They don’t need to take the train to New York or Philadelphia.”
Juxtaposing all this innovation, though, is a building that dates to the turn of the century. Called Twin Oaks, the red brick, classical revival-style mansion was built for the Frelinghuysen Family in 1913 and later acquired by the museum. “When we moved into this site 60 years ago, the issue was trying to turn a gentleman’s country house into everything a museum needed,” Loughman says.
“We’re a far cry from that now.”
Over the years there have been major additions, including a theater, that increased the overall footprint, but the building has never functioned quite right. For instance, there have been issues with climate control that limit where art can be stored or displayed.
As a result, “only about half of the museum building is publicly accessible right now,” Loughman says. That’s about to change.
Here’s a small taste of what you can enjoy currently at the Morris Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate.
“Iconic: Kathleen Gilje Repaints Art History” (through April) reimagines masterworks from Leonardo da Vinci and others to create a conversation on beauty, culture, and female agency. Left: Feminist art scholar Linda Nochlin as the barmaid in Manet’s “A Bar at the Folies-Bergère.”
“Notes on Napkins” (through May 10) was commissioned by UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance and features visual thinking—literally on napkins—from 100 American composers. Gary Lichtenstein Editions produced prints from the results, which are on view in Museum Court.
Post-war Japanese art expert Midori Yoshimoto selected this 18th-century 6-panel Japanese screen from the museum’s archives as one of the objects in the recent exhibit “Take 5.”
The video installation “Perennial Land,” which runs through April 5, includes words and images related to local environmental issues. In addition to footage of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, text running across the screen at one point reads: “Amid escalating pollution and intensifying floods, Morris County is restoring wetlands, replanting native species, and managing wildlife—turning risks into cleaner water and stronger, more resilient ecosystems.”
TRIPLING EXHIBITION SPACE
The museum is in the midst of ambitious strategic and historic preservation plans, which should triple the amount of exhibition space and create five times the amount of space available for educational programs.
There’s no plan to expand the footprint, though. The focus instead is on putting what the museum has—such as 8 acres of park-like grounds—to better use. Loughman envisions paths and trails that wander past outdoor sculptures, an improved outdoor concert pavilion
for live music, and maybe even an orchard or edible garden.
For the historical restoration, a three-phase project includes replacing the mansion’s original slate roof, returning the porch to a porte cochere, and installing new windows and new HVAC and air filtration systems.
According to Loughman, when it’s all done, the museum will be a model for what a regional museum can do in America. “It’s really about getting the campus to level up to meet global standards of cultural centers like ours,” he says. “We’re thinking about
the project in terms of what’s best for the next few generations.”
This summer should offer a glimpse of what else is in store.
The museum’s grounds will host “Common Ground: NJ Artists Think Monumental,” a juried exhibition of sculpture, installations, and murals. Exhibited works will spark curiosity and examine how art lives in shared environments.
“There’s just no other institution at our scale that offers the array of things that we offer,” Loughman says. “We’re very excited about the future.”
12 Tips for Better Health
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From nutritious eats to social fun and fitness, Morristown offers a wealth of ways to make 2026 your healthiest year yet!
BY MY MO-TOWN STAFF
THE NEW YEAR CAN bring a new resolve to improve your health. If feeling better is at the top of your 2026 to-do list, we have some suggestions—everything from saunas to comedy shows—that are both backed by science and close to home.
1
Eat local. Once picked, produce loses nutrients over time, and the risk of contamination increases the more it’s handled and transported. Buying locally grown fruits and vegetables addresses both points, and reduces carbon emissions tied to long-distance shipping, too. Grab fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables—and support local farmers!— at the Grow It Green Morristown winter market. Find everything from organic microgreens and vegetables to artisan sourdough and homemade jams. Sundays through April from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Covent Train Station in Morris Township. For a list of weekly vendors, visit www.growitgreenmorristown.org.
2
Join a fitness club. Each Tuesday at 7:15 p.m., join fitness enthusiasts of all levels for the weekly FRVD (Forever Ready Versus Delayed) Run meetup on the Green. When you join this part social club, part run/walk group, you’ll combat the winter blues with a one-two punch: meeting new friends and getting your heart pumping. For more information, follow @frvd.run on Instagram.
Left: The Grow It Green Farmer’s Market
PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDEANA GONZALES
3
Schedule annual exams. Many serious medical conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes, can be present without causing noticeable symptoms. Seeing your primary care provider regularly helps to ensure that such conditions will be caught early, when treatment has the greatest impact. The same is true of cancers—catching them early usually leads to a better outcome. Your primary care provider can recommend the best screening and exam schedule for you based on your current health and your personal and family medical histories. Stay on top of it all by getting those recommended screenings, including mammograms, colonoscopies, and skin checks, on the calendar now.
4
Eat less red meat. The American Heart Association reports that consuming less meat decreases your risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and more. Many of our local restaurants offer excellent meat-free choices. If you’re vegan curious, follow @morristownvegangirl on Instagram for local vegan meal inspiration. Ready to try vegan foods at home? Head to the Feasty Vegan market on South Street and scoop up vegan charcuterie, fried “chicken,” and more.
5
Hit the trails. Counteract the gray days of winter with the rush of feel-good brain chemicals that exercise provides. Morristown National Historical Park boasts 27 miles of scenic hiking trails on 5,000 acres. In Morris Township, try Loantaka Brook Reservation, which offers 10 miles of trails on 850 acres.
7 Laugh it up. Data is mounting that laughter has some serious health benefits, like reducing stress, relieving pain, and improving your immune system. Head to Colonial Comedy (39 Maple Ave.) on the second Friday of each month to see for yourself if laughter really is the best medicine. Buy tickets at www.colonialcomedy.com.
6
Sip matcha. This bright green powder made from green tea leaves contains antioxidants and other good-for-you natural chemicals that preliminary studies show could have anti-inflammatory effects and help lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Find matcha on menus all over town, including The Meltique, LOKL Café, and General Coffee Co.
8
Slather on sunscreen. Yes, even in the winter! A recent study from the American Academy of Dermatology found only 13% of Americans use sun protection when going on walks or hikes during the winter. This tip is especially important when there’s snow on the ground, as sun reflects off its bright white surface, increasing exposure. Sunscreens are, of course, widely available at drug and grocery stores. For personalized advice from beauty experts, check out Bluemercury on South Street.
9
Read more books. Researchers at Yale University School of Public Health reviewed data from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study and found that people age 50 or older who regularly read books had a 20% lower risk of dying over the next 12 years compared with people who didn’t read books. That difference held true regardless of other factors, including race, education, state of health, wealth, marital status, and depression. Check out some titles at the Morristown & Morris Township Library and add some years to your life! For books related to health and wellness, see the library’s recommendations in this month’s Book Nook column.
10
Try a sauna. According to research published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, the dry heat of a sauna can reduce stress, calm anxiety, and perhaps even improve cardiovascular health. Morristown is rich with sauna options, including Drip Sauna & Plunge Studio, Chambers Center for WellBeing, and—coming soon— SweatHouz.
11
Lift weights. Regular strength training can help strengthen your bones and manage your weight. According to a study published in the journal Biology in October 2024, lifting for 90 minutes or more per week can even extend your life up to four years. Consider hiring a personal trainer who works at one of Morristown’s many gyms to learn correct form and get help designing a fitness plan tailored just for you.
12 Get involved. Turns out, helping others can be a great way to also help yourself. Research shows that getting involved in your community can improve your mental health, especially at midlife. Morristown boasts myriad volunteer opportunities—from raising puppies for The Seeing Eye or distributing groceries at Table of Hope’s weekly food pantry to providing nonclinical support at Morristown Medical Center.
Drip Sauna & Plunge Studio
Left: Comedian Janmichael Conde performs at Colonial Comedy.
PHOTOGRAPH BY BRYAN BONILLA
FACE FOUNDRIÉ:
Your Place to Refresh and Renew
Pamper your skin—and yourself—at FACE FOUNDRIÉ in Morristown.
SOMETIMES YOU NEED a little escape from the everyday. You need a pause, a moment to recharge, and a space that leaves you feeling happy, confident, refreshed, and taken care of. That’s exactly what clients find at FACE FOUNDRIÉ Morristown. Sistersin-law Erica and Katie Kohler have built a salon that combines expert skincare, personalized attention, and affordable luxury, welcoming visitors from Morristown and beyond.
FEMALE-FOUNDED,
FAMILY-DRIVEN
Being female-founded, female-owned, and family-run influences every detail at FACE FOUNDRIÉ, from welcoming clients to delivering consistently excellent service. Katie explains, “We want everyone who walks in to feel seen and cared for, like they’re spending time with friends who happen to understand their skin.” Erica adds, “Family is at the core of what we do. Every guest should feel that same comfort and connection.”
FACIALS THAT BUILD AMAZING SKIN
FACE FOUNDRIÉ clients can choose facials tailored to their skin’s needs, each designed to refresh, rejuvenate, and deliver visible results.
• Hydrafacial cleanses, hydrates, and
FIVE REASONS TO TREAT YOURSELF AT FACE FOUNDRIÉ
• Facials That Work – Treatments leave skin refreshed, lifted, and balanced.
• Brows on Point – The perfect finishing touch for a polished look.
• Affordable Membership Made Easy – Keep your skincare routine consistent without missing a beat.
• Face Parties Make Skincare Social – Turn birthdays, casual get-togethers, or any special occasion into a shared experience with facials and enhancements enjoyed side by side.
• Family-Run, Friend-Approved – Personalized care that feels like visiting friends.
resets your skin in just 40 minutes, offering a quick pick-me-up that leaves you looking and feeling hydrated.
• The Royal Treatment combines oxygen infusion, hydradermabrasion, and micro treatments for a thorough reset that addresses multiple concerns in one session.
• Firm AF lifts and tones with peptides and massage, helping skin feel firmer and more sculpted.
• Cryo Queen uses cryotherapy and LED light to brighten and firm, giving the complexion an energized finish.
• Acne Agent Powered by Face Reality targets blemishes with a carefully designed combination of enzyme masks, chemical peels, and LED therapy, helping skin look clearer and refreshed.
Each facial can be customized with enhancements to address specific skin concerns for a truly personalized experience.
With affordable, results-focused skincare, FACE FOUNDRIÉ clients can create a routine that helps
them look and feel their best.
Enhancements such as facial cupping, Gua Sha, Hungarian massage, and chemical peels allow each visit to be personalized, targeting specific skin concerns while adding an extra layer of care and indulgence that leaves the skin looking refreshed and radiant.
AND NOW, THE FINISHING TOUCH!
From brow shaping and henna to waxing, FACE FOUNDRIÉ offers services designed to complement and enhance the results of each facial. Erica says, “The finishing touches can completely change how a client feels after a session.”
WAIT, YOU’RE NOT A MEMBER YET?
FACE FOUNDRIÉ memberships are a cornerstone of the salon, making it easy and affordable to maintain consistent care and achieve lasting results. Katie notes, “Memberships let clients prioritize their skin without stress. It’s a monthly treat that fits naturally into life.” With regular visits, clients enjoy a structured, convenient
routine that keeps skin healthy, hydrated, and glowing year-round.
FACE FOUNDRIÉ offers exclusive membership perks and easy online booking, making self-care seamless for even the busiest schedules.
Face Parties: Skincare Together
For birthdays, casual catch-ups, or any special occasion, Face Parties turn a facial into a shared experience. Groups enjoy treatments together while connecting and relaxing. Erica explains, “Face Parties are all about celebrating together. Everyone leaves feeling cared for and refreshed. It is skincare with a social twist.”
Katie concludes, “We love seeing people leave the salon feeling renewed and confident. Whether it’s a quick pick-me-up or a full pampering session, FACE FOUNDRIÉ is a place where everyone can take a moment for themselves and feel their best.”
EXPERIENCE FACE FOUNDRIÉ FOR YOURSELF
If you’re looking for a place to recharge and feel genuinely cared for, FACE FOUNDRIÉ Morristown belongs on your list. Located in the heart of town at 70 South St., the skincare salon offers personalized facials and enhancements, along with memberships that make skincare easy to maintain. Book a facial, gather friends for a Face Party, or explore membership by emailing morristown@facefoundrie.com, calling 973-524-4307, or visiting www.facefoundrie.com.
BOOK NOOK
Works on Wellness
Feel your best in 2026 with help from these books, recommended by the Morristown & Morris Township Library.
BY MARY LYNN BECZA
TRADITIONALLY, THE START of a new year is a time to reset health habits, so for this, the library’s inaugural column in My Mo-Town magazine, we’re highlighting some books on health and wellness. We hope these titles will inspire you. Of course, we carry many additional “works on wellness,” so stop in and see us for more suggestions!
“Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy”
By Mary Roach
Learning about your body from the whip-smart, always witty Mary Roach is probably the most fun you’ll ever have reading about science and health. In all honesty, it’s probably the most fun you’ll have reading about almost anything! Recommended reading for all humans.
“It Doesn’t Have to Hurt: Your Smart Guide to a Pain-Free Life”
By Sanjay Gupta
Learn to reduce—or even eliminate— chronic pain with the latest, sciencebased techniques and a wealth of expert advice from the popular CNN medical correspondent and neurosurgeon.
“The Blue Food Cookbook: Delicious Seafood Recipes for a Sustainable Future”
By
Andrew Zimmern and Barton Seaver
Resolving to eat healthier in 2026? This gorgeous cookbook, inspired by the popular PBS miniseries “Hope in the Water,” teaches you how to buy, prepare, and cook sustainable seafood. It includes more than 145 easy and delicious recipes, including Butternut Squash and Mussel Soup and Seafood Pot Pie.
“What to Eat Now: The Indispensable Guide to Good Food, How to Find It, and Why It Matters”
By Marion Nestle
In this newly released update to her 2005 Book “What to Eat,” Nestle, a well-known molecular biologist, nutritionist, and public health advocate, guides you aisle-by-aisle through the grocery store to offer tips and tricks about food safety, nutrition, ethical and sustainable food, and more!
JOIN A FREE CLASS!
The Morristown & Morris Township Library has many free classes for anyone looking to learn new skills in a lowkey and supportive atmosphere. Join us for weekly yoga classes Mondays at 6 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Qigong, a gentle exercise form similar to Tai Chi, is taught Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. All skill levels welcome and accommodated at these classes and no registration is required. For more information, including times for our online Mindful Meditation classes, visit www.MMTLibrary.org or email refdesk@mmt.mainlib.org to be put on our Wellness email list.
Mary Lynn Becza is the Assistant Director of the Morristown & Morris Township Library.
CELEBRATING OUR PLACE IN HISTORY
YOU’LL BE SEEING quite a bit of our nation’s first President in 2026. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when our fledgling country—already fighting the redcoats under George Washington’s command—formally declared its intention to split from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.
Tucked behind the Watchung Mountains and just 30 miles from New York City, Morristown, of course, played a starring role in it all. Our city was home to Washington’s headquarters in 1777 and again in 17791780, when troops struggled to find basic supplies during one of the coldest winters on record.
Morristown’s role in the Revolutionary War is just one of the many incredible stories our city offers. Starting with this premiere issue, My Mo-Town aims to share many more.
Have a fabulous Morristown photo?
Email it to the editor: Christine.Bockelman@ wainscotmedia.com. It could be featured in an upcoming issue!
SKIN SURFACE TO STRUCTURE
INCLUDING DR. SPIRO’S CUSTOMIZED
HIGH SMAS DEEP PLANE FACE AND NECK LIFTS
Dr. Spiro’s Customized High SMAS Deep Plane Face & Neck Lift
Dr. Spiro’s approach to facial rejuvenation centers on a customized High SMAS Deep Plane face and neck lift, a technique that restores natural anatomy by refining facial contours, improving neck definition, and producing durable, elegant results that age gracefully over time. Each surgical plan is carefully individualized and may include additional procedures such as brow lift and foreheadplasty, lip lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and strategic fat grafting to the cheeks, temples, and marionette areas, allowing facial balance and proportion to be restored in a cohesive, natural manner.
Non-Surgical Care to Enhance & Preserve Surgical Outcomes
Non-surgical care provided by Nurse Practitioner Mikayla and skin care specialist Rebecca builds upon Dr. Spiro’s surgical foundation. Injectables, lasers, and medical grade skincare are used to refine skin quality, support healing, and maintain results - allowing surgical outcomes from face and neck lifts to remain balanced and long-lasting, while also delivering meaningful, standalone improvements for patients pursuing non-surgical rejuvenation.
Nurse Practitioner, Mikayla Barbarossa Skin Care Specialist, Rebecca Pierce