My Mo-Town NOVEMBER 2026
CELEBRATING LIFE IN MORRISTOWN, HARDING & MENDHAM
Kathryn Tappen
Home Field Advantage The Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster on her Morristown roots, life in the big leagues, and what keeps her grounded.
BRINGING BACK THE BARN
A former Mendham stable gets a glow-up
THANKSGIVING DINING A 75-year-old Morris Township restaurant serves up a holiday feast
THREE’S A PARTY
Meet interesting neighbors at our virtual cocktail party
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CONTENTS
November 2026
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MO-TOWN LOWDOWN
12
LOCAL LUMINARIES
NBC Sports broadcaster Kathryn Tappen is home in Morristown
Ladies’ Bub Club, UnFussy Art, Astronomy Club
10
LIVING WELL Simply Well Health of Harding takes a holistic view
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16
HOME & STYLE
A Mendham horse stable gets a modern glow-up
Rod’s Steak & Seafood Grille prepares for holiday feasting
Chris Argenziano Dr. Gina Cavallo Herb Gersh Alison Griffin Marc Kaufman Liza Kirschenbaum Bill Kleemeyer Lydia Muller Gustavo Rubio Julia Somers
Green Village Packing Co. is an old-school meat market
Marisa Sweeney
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MEET THE NEIGHBORS “Three’s a Party” virtual cocktail soiree
THE SCENE
DINING
Dr. Amina Ahmed
AROUND TOWN
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24
GRACING THESE PAGES
Homestead Bar + Kitchen offers a cozy local gathering spot
28
Kathryn Tappen Nancy Waggoner Billy Walsh Nina Yacavino Kori Young
30
GET OUT THERE Fun events for grownups and littles
GIVING BACK
32
Nina Yacavino shares her philanthropic perspective
1970s Turkey Bowl memories
ONE MO’ THING
PHOTOGRAPHY FROM TOP: JENNY MADDEN/TORY WILLIAMS, JULIE BLACKSTOCK, ROD’S STEAK & SEAFOOD GRILLE
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FROM THE EDITOR
My Mo-Town MORRISTOWN, HARDING & MENDHAM
Editorial Director Susan Brierly Bush Writers Melissa DeSanti Nathalie Masse R.F. Bush, Jr. Photographer Christopher Shenise
WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden
Gathered Together T
here’s something about November that draws us home. The days grow shorter, the table feels more inviting, and traditions seem to matter just a little more. This month’s My Mo-Town celebrates that sense of connection to family and to the
places and people that become part of our lives.
Our “homecoming” cover story features Morristown native Kathryn Tappen, whose broadcasting career has taken her to some of the biggest stages in sports, but whose roots remain firmly planted here. Elsewhere, we step inside a former horse stable thoughtfully transformed for modern living, and visit a beloved old-school butcher shop that has served local families since 1949. As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m reminded that the best traditions aren’t necessarily the grandest ones. They’re the places, faces and stories we return to year after year. Here’s to gathering around the table—and appreciating what makes home feel like home.
SVP, Integrated Marketing Edward R. Burns SVP, Regional Magazine Group Thomas Flannery VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Creative Director Kijoo Kim Executive Editor Elaine Quilici Art Director Rosemary O’Connell Operations Director Catherine Rosario Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer Production Designer Chris Ferrante Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden Client Success Manager Kris Pepper
My Mo-Town magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Morristown, Morris Township, Harding and Mendham, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2026 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
Email: susan.brierly.bush@wainscotmedia.com Instagram: @susanbrierlybush
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MO-TOWN LOWDOWN
Sip, Sip, Hooray! There’s always something to celebrate, so raise a glass with local pals, old and new. The Morristown Ladies’ Bub Club takes its name from the bubbly, but the real draw is the company. This super-casual social group brings women together to sip something sparkling, meet new people and enjoy a night out. There are no dues, no commitments and no attendance policy—just show up when you can and join the fun. The only real expectation is to mix and mingle. Catching up with old friends is encouraged, but so is introducing yourself to someone new. And while Morristown may be in the name, your ZIP code doesn’t matter. As for the “Bub” part? At quarterly get-togethers, typically at Stirling Tavern in Morristown, bubbles are entirely optional. “The point isn’t what you’re drinking—it’s getting out, making new acquaintances and having a good time,” says the group’s organizer, local mover and shaker Marisa Sweeney. Follow on Instagram @ladiesbubclub.
HANG IT UP
I
F YOUR WALLS are begging for personality, there’s a new game in town called Unstuffy Art Advisory. Based in Morristown, founder Lydia Muller helps people buy art they love. Muller doesn’t have an art degree, just an art obsession. “I hatched this business because buying art shouldn’t be intimidating, overwhelming or impersonal. My job is to learn what someone loves and then go find it, whether that’s a first piece for a new apartment or the finishing layer on a designer’s project,” she says. “Art should make you feel something every time you
walk past it. That’s what you can expect when you give me your walls.” Muller sources original works, editions, prints, sculptures, vessels and multimedia pieces from emerging and established artists, galleries and the secondary market. Then she coordinates shipping and schedules a professional installer. Each Unstuffy Art Advisory project starts with an in-person chat about the client’s travel destinations, collections, favorite music, personal milestones, hobbies and people. “That conversation is what makes the art meaningful rather than decorative, and it’s the part I won’t skip,” Muller says. Follow @unstuffyartadvisory on Instagram.
Seeing Stars Star gazers unite at the Morris Museum Astronomical Society. What began in 1972, when a small group got together to do what they loved, is now one of the oldest and most active astronomy clubs around. Today, the MMAS enjoys the energy, support and enthusiasm of the Morris Museum staff who provide space for monthly general meetings, special events and the ever-popular Astronomy Day. The club is about 100 members strong and welcomes everyone, especially those new to amateur astronomy. Annual dues (individual or family) are $25.
For details, call 973-637-0178.
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LIVING WELL
The Whole Picture
Change is the only constant for us. So let’s embrace it and thrive together.
At Simply Well Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed rethinks women’s health with a more personalized approach to care.
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or Dr. Amina Ahmed, women’s health has never been a one-sizefits-all proposition. A boardcertified internal medicine physician and health-care innovator, she has spent her career re-imagining what women’s health care might look like when the patient’s story, rather than a particular symptom or condition, becomes the starting point. Her Harding Township practice, Simply Well Health, is an integrative, concierge practice built around a continuous, personal relationship with patients. The concept is straightforward: A woman’s health needs change throughout her life, and her care should evolve with them. “For women, the magic formula constantly changes during life stages of puberty, pregnancy, peri-menopause and menopause. Our hormones change every day, so we are a different woman every day, depending on those levels,” says Dr. Ahmed, who just celebrated her 50th birthday. Her practice includes females of all ages, with 30 percent of patients under the age of 30. She works with mothers and daughters; girls who turn 18 and no longer see a pediatrician; young women dealing with hormone imbalances, endometriosis, PMOS (PCOS), unresolved abdominal
symptoms, migraines and body image concerns; new moms with post-partum depression, women navigating the pressures of IVF; and mid-life females experiencing peri-menopause and menopause. A typical first visit to Simply Well lasts two to three hours. Metabolic, cardiovascular, cognitive, gut and sexual health are all part of the conversation, along with each patient’s medical history and personal health goals. Medicine, nutrition, physical performance and emotional well-being are considered, with care tailored to each woman’s health, lifestyle and individual risk factors. Rather than treating concerns in isolation, Dr. Ahmed looks at the larger picture—and how the pieces may be connected. Metabolic health is a particular focus, with attention paid to blood sugar, lipids, blood pressure, body composition, hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance. Root causes for chronic conditions, inflammation and fatigue are evaluated to optimize health. Skin health also fits into Dr. Ahmed’s broader view of well-being. Simply Well offers medical aesthetic services as part of the practice, reflecting her belief that how we look and how we feel are
interconnected, and that confidence can be an important part of overall health. “When women are supported through every stage of life, they don’t just feel better—they thrive,” she says. Dr. Ahmed has extended that philosophy beyond the exam room with Simply Yoga, a boutique infrared yoga studio located alongside Simply Well on Village Road. Designed primarily as a women-centered daytime space, it brings movement, strength, mobility and stress reduction into her broader approach to well-being. Select evening and weekend classes through Simply Together are open to partners, friends and participants of all genders. For Dr. Ahmed, the common thread is empowering women to become active participants in their own health as their bodies and lives change. Whether patients are navigating a new diagnosis, adjusting to a life transition or simply wanting to feel their best, the goal is to provide the tools, knowledge and support to make that possible. In a health-care landscape that can often feel fragmented, Simply Well Health offers a different model. “Change is the only constant for us,” she says. “So, let’s embrace it and thrive together.”
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LOCAL LUMINARIES
In the
Game Kathryn Tappen’s sports broadcasting career takes her around the world, but her roots remain in Morristown.
Tappen’s travels send her far and wide to interview sports greats like quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.
IMAGES BY TORY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY
BY SUSAN BRIERLY BUSH
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Long before she reported on primetime college football, covered the Olympic Games or interviewed sports’ biggest names, Kathryn Tappen was a Morristown athlete who wanted to be in the game. “I was a total sporty kid,” she says, recalling baseball games with the boys in Morristown and playing alongside her parents at Morris County Golf Club. Tennis, basketball, softball, swimming and family ski trips filled her childhood. But another ambition was taking shape. On her eighth-grade yearbook page at Assumption School, where students were asked to envision their future careers, Tappen wrote: “to be a broadcaster.” She loved public speaking and forensics at Assumption and later at Villa Walsh Academy. At Rutgers University, she combined those interests, studying Journalism and Media Studies with a minor in Political Science while becoming a four-year letter winner in Division l track and field and cross-country. FROM MORRISTOWN TO THE NATIONAL STAGE Tappen’s first break came in 2003, when she won a walk-on tryout at College Sports TV in New York City, now CBS College Sports, then landed a job as weekend sports anchor and weekday reporter at WJAR NBC in Providence. In 2006, at 25, she made her network television debut as a reporter for NBC’s Heads-Up Poker Championship. Her career has since spanned networks, sports and continents. Today, Tappen is an NBC Sports sideline reporter for Big Ten Saturday Night and various NFL games. She also hosts and reports for TNT and NHL Network and recently completed her seventh Olympics in Milan Cortina. Los Angeles in 2028 could be number eight. Her résumé includes a Sports Emmy earned as part of NBCUniversal’s 2024 Paris Olympics coverage, honored for Outstanding Live Special–Championship Event.
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LOCAL LUMINARIES
Tappen snagged one-on-one time with New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes moments after he scored the game-winning goal for Team USA at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
FINDING HER PLACE IN THE GAME Tappen has built her career in a heavily male industry and doesn’t ignore that reality. “Men have been in charge at every major network I have ever worked at, for better or for worse. But being a female in a male-dominated industry is, quite frankly, what most industries are,” she says, pointing to women in finance and law who have faced similar dynamics. “What’s most important about these male-dominated professions is having male allies who will cheer you on, fight for your worth and goals, and help get you to where you want to be.” She also believes that, at times, she had to be “smarter, stronger and absolutely flawless” on television because a woman’s mistake could be judged differently than a man’s. Yet, some of her biggest supporters have been males. “I have been very fortunate to have wonderful mentors along the way,” she says. In March 2020, Tappen anchored studio coverage for the St. Louis Blues–Chicago Blackhawks matchup as part of an all-female crew—the first NHL game in the United States broadcast and produced solely by women. More than two decades into her career, at the Milan Cortina Olympics, New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal that clinched gold for Team USA. Tappen, who had followed Hughes since his days as a draft prospect, snagged an interview with him immediately afterward. “I didn’t think about anything else except asking the best questions of this athlete who clearly just had the biggest moment of his life,” she says. Hours later, when Tappen checked her phone, she realized how widely the interview had resonated. “You wait your entire career, and you may never get an interview like that,” she says. “It took me 23 years to get it. I savor that moment and am grateful it happened.”
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TAPPEN AT-HOME IMAGES COURTESY OF JENNY MADDEN DESIGN; PHOTOS BY TORY WILLIAMS.
At home, Tappen enjoys quiet surroundings with kitty Tuxy. Her passions include garden design, backyard bees and hanging out in Morristown.
ALWAYS LEARNING Despite her accomplishments, Tappen has little interest in standing still. In August, she earned a Master of Science in Global Sport Business from New York University, inspired by her desire to understand the increasingly international business of sports. The one-year program included four residencies in New York City, Abu Dhabi, Paris and London, where she met executives working across soccer, football, basketball and other sports. She completed it while maintaining her broadcasting career, covering an Olympics and carrying 12 credits each semester. Her broader perspective now extends to Rutgers. Athletic Director Keli Zinn nominated Tappen to the Board of Directors of Scarlet Knight Enterprises, Inc., which oversees multimedia rights, corporate partnerships, ticketing strategy and initiatives supporting Rutgers Athletics. Her NBC Sports deal has been extended, but she keeps her larger ambitions to herself. “I have never discussed my ultimate career goals publicly but, believe me, I have them. Goals can take many different paths, so you need to embrace the journey and accept detours along the way.”
COMING HOME Away from the cameras and stadiums, Tappen embraces a decidedly quieter life. After years in New York City, she returned to the Morris County countryside and built her dream home, where her passions turn to interiors, gardening, nature and animals. She is “certifiably obsessed” with her tuxedo cat, Tuxy. “But anyone who meets him says the same, so I’m not a biased mother,” she jokes. Her bucolic property has become a personal passion project. She keeps bees for honey and recently installed a wildflower meadow with local garden designer Natalie Crist. The meadow provides habitat, helps filter water and offers forage for wildlife and pollinators—including Tappen’s bees. “I’m excited to see it evolve in the coming years,” she says. “I love enjoying nature around me, and it’s my therapy.” For someone whose work takes her across the world, home still means Morristown. The lifelong athlete remains active, playing golf at Mendham Golf & Tennis and taking Orangetheory fitness classes near her home. Tappen says she appreciates the area more as an adult, from its farm stands, gardens and restaurants to its shops and entertainment. Dinner with friends might mean South + Pine, Agricola or The Grand Café; the Black Horse Pub is a favorite for a burger at the bar. She shops for fashion at Windswept in Mendham, browses bling at B Jewelers and F. Gerald New, and treats herself to a facial at Face Foundrie or a spa visit at Pendry Natirar. “It feels like a staycation for me,” she says, “and a much-needed recharge from the grind of my job.” That’s what makes Tappen’s story feel so satisfyingly circular. The Morristown eighth grader who wrote “to be a broadcaster” in her yearbook reached her goal through Rutgers, Providence, New York, Las Vegas, Olympics cities and stadiums around the globe. After all those miles, she found something equally meaningful where she started: a home in the Morris County countryside, a meadow coming into bloom, a beloved cat waiting for her return and, just beyond the door, a place to breathe before the next game begins.
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HOME & STYLE
Bringing Back the Barn A former horse stable embraces modern living without losing sight of its storied past.
BY SUSAN BRIERLY BUSH IMAGES BY JULIE BLACKSTOCK
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Left: L-shaped cabinetry in a mix of cherry wood and painted finishes anchors the new kitchen. Above: Thanksgiving ready! Clean lines and rustic sensibility make the re-designed dining area warm and welcoming.
“Re-imagining a 1930s residence that was once a horse stable means you never know what you might uncover,” says kitchen designer Alison Griffin. The Mendham Township home, adjacent to Jockey Hollow National Park, is set on historically significant land that was important in the course of the American Revolutionary War. Griffin’s goal was to transform the dated first floor into something casually elegant and timeless, party-ready to meet the needs of her clients who enjoy cooking and entertaining. “Our vision was to create a modern farmhouse style to bring back the barn vibe,” Griffin says. “When we took down the walls, we uncovered the frame along with a cool old lumber stamp showing the original owner’s name. We had hoped to expose the original post-and-beam structure by gutting the space but, unfortunately, after removing several layers, we discovered a 1940s infrastructure that couldn’t be removed. Although we had hoped to celebrate the building’s history as a barn, it was disappointing that our vision couldn’t be fully realized,” she says. Turning challenge into opportunity, the renovation team pivoted to make the place look like an old city loft, while hinting
at its equine history with tack room-inspired, walk-in pantries hidden behind rustic barn doors. Although the project initially focused on the kitchen, the renovation was carefully phased into a more extensive glow-up. The configuration of the rooms on the sprawling first floor was less than optimal because the original kitchen was isolated in the back corner of the home, making it difficult to access from other areas. And the too-large living and dining spaces had low ceilings and were poorly lit. “The cramped kitchen was past its expiration date and dramatically undersized, and we were challenged by failing appliances and broken door hinges,” Griffin says. So she cleverly moved the kitchen to the opposite side of the home. Happily, as the new kitchen was being created, the family could still prepare meals in the original galley area. For easy entertaining, the designer added larger-capacity appliances for cooking and storage, better organization, more work-prep surfaces and a generously sized island for family breakfasts, homework time and hanging out with the chef. A 30-inch steam oven and a 48-inch dual-fuel range infused the kitchen with a luxurious feeling.
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HOME & STYLE
The re-imagined first floor now flows seamlessly, blending a sense of history with exceptional form and function.
Our home functions incredibly well for our family. — Liza Kirschenbaum
That long list of improvements followed a detailed discussion of the overall vision and family dynamics. Griffin explains, “It’s important to share in-depth conversations early on to understand first-hand how homeowners actually live in their space.” She adds, “The new kitchen has a better footprint that accommodates L-shaped cabinetry in a homey mix of cherry wood and Sherwin-Williams Downing Stone painted finishes, larger-scale appliances and a generous central island that measures about eight by four feet.” The island houses a sink, dishwasher and pull-out cabinet for trash and recycling. The luxe fridge and freezer reside on the side wall. A muted color palette and natural textiles were selected for the first floor long before demolition began. Unexpected elements include a Zellige-style tile backsplash with irregular edges, a Black Zimbabwe granite countertop with a leather-like finish, and perimeter counters made of lustrous marble-look quartz. With the designer’s measured guidance, the communal areas were re-worked and various doorway access points were relocated to change the flow of rooms and traffic patterns. However, there still wasn’t enough room for necessary pantry storage, so Griffin reconfigured two existing closets on either side of the dining room fireplace for symmetry. To conceal pantries, a
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Must-haves were larger-capacity appliances for cooking and storage, more work-prep surfaces and a generously sized island for family breakfasts and homework.
coffee bar and beverage center were introduced. Other bonus spaces include a bar/lounge area and laundry/mudroom. Homeowners Liza Kirschenbaum and Marc Kaufman find their residence to be comfortable and livable. “Our home functions incredibly well for our family. We entertain quite a bit and love to cook for our guests. Having a large, professional kitchen that is blended with socializing space makes entertaining a true pleasure,” Kirschenbaum says. Kaufman adds, “There is a seamlessness to the overall layout and flow with the rest of the main level, and a blend of history with stellar form and function. We can prepare and cook without feeling like we’re separated from guests or having to navigate an overcrowded space. The kitchen layout is perfect, with the sink and prep space right on the center island in the middle of all the action.” Singled out as a Houzz.com “kitchen of the week,” the collaborative project is a testament to adaptability and tenacity. Kirschenbaum concludes, “We really love the fact that Alison’s renovation retained the historic aspects of the home while creating better function and flow. You can still see the original supporting beams throughout the home and feel the history, but we also have a light and airy space, and an incredibly beautiful and functional kitchen.”
About the Designer Alison Griffin is a certified kitchen designer and ASID associate located in Morris County. She resides in an antique home, formerly a cobbler’s shop, in Mendham’s historic Brookside neighborhood. Griffin re-imagines kitchens and baths, both old and new. griffindesigns.com 908-858-6492
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AROUND TOWN
A Cut Above
An unassuming, no-frills business has been quietly building a loyal following for generations.
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or something entirely different, drive down a less-traveled road on the Harding Township border to discover this small, old-school meat purveyor. Family owned and operated since 1949, Green Village Packing Company carries celebratory holiday favorites, as well as more casual fare for backyard barbecues and tailgates. It’s a simple, throwback atmosphere—and regular patrons wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’ve been shopping there for 30 years and it’s very high quality. They do
everything right,” says Julia Somers of Harding. “I visit most every week and especially like the hanger steak. It’s the best you will get anywhere.” Established by German immigrant William Kleemeyer Sr., Green Village Packing provides custom-cut meats and provisions for local restaurants and households. Today, gregarious grandson Bill Kleemeyer, known by his customers simply as Bill the Butcher, is the proprietor. He famously puts his own spin on the business by displaying
his hand-drawn, sometimes irreverent, cartoon posters in the shop as well as on his Instagram page. The business enjoys a bit of a cult following, especially since being featured on The Learning Channel (TLC) in 2020. For Thanksgiving and other holiday events, Kleemeyer stocks up on fresh turkey, filet mignon, prime rib, duck, ham and French racks. “For folks who don’t eat meat, we offer veggie burgers, gourmet frozen ravioli in varieties like four-cheese and butternut squash, and locally made
IMAGES BY CHRISTOPHER SHENISE
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Owner Bill Kleemeyer and butcher Herb Gersh prepare for the Thanksgiving season rush.
marinara sauce,” he says. Vegetarians (and Martha Stewart fans) also trek to the shop for fresh Araucana eggs in soft shades of turquoise, green and brown. Die-hard GVP fans visit weekly for unusual meat treats like hanger steak in a family-secret marinade, tri-tip beef, pickled chicken, cheese-steak sausages, spicy Nashville chicken sausage and pork “cupcakes” rubbed with honeybourbon and bacon bits. “I call them cupcakes because of their shape. They’re so tender they cut like a cake. Sometimes I serve them with a birthday candle,” Kleemeyer says gleefully. Morristown area grill masters can choose from German-style hot dogs, Italian and Andouille sausage, Spanish chorizo, pork ribs and beef burgers. “You name it, we flame it!" the butcher proclaims. With a longtime reputation as tailgate specialists, the crew has been catering parties for decades. “We are the king of pig roasts in New Jersey. We even do Hawaiian luau celebrations,” Kleemeyer says. “For the ultimate tailgate party, grab your provisions in our store or just give us the tailgating parking pass and we’ll do the rest.” A committed carnivore, Kleemeyer offers one final bit of dietary wisdom: “Sure, you gotta eat some chicken and vegetables sometimes, but my dad is 91 years old and eats meat every day and feels great.” Green Village Packing is open to the public Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 68 Britten Road, Green Village. 973-377-0875.
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MEET THE NEIGHBORS
y t r a P A
Three’s
g nterestin i h t i w s w , rub elbo h t n il soirée! o a t m k c o c l Each a our virtu t a s r e o g party-
Dr. Gina Cavallo VASCULAR SURGEON • DESIGN ENTHUSIAST • AMATEUR GARDENER
MORRISTOWN SIGNATURE SIP: A dirty martini. CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: A strong cup of coffee and a good book. DREAM DINNER GUEST: Martha Stewart, a smart and interesting woman who built an empire and has lived many lives. (Not many people have expertise in throwing dinner parties and surviving prison.) . PANY COM L N. A I VIV ATIO CON VERS N O GC . KLIN TYLE SPAR SIC S CLAS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER SHENISE
WEEKEND ESCAPE: Sea Island, Georgia, where we were married. PERFECT SATURDAY: Lazy morning with my family, brunch, shopping at F. Gerald New on the Harding Country Mile, dinner date at Toca Vez or Rod’s Steakhouse with my husband.
I am a rich man. —Cher
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Chris Argenziano
Kori Young
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER • FOOTBALL FANATIC
ANTIQUES SHOP OWNER • FRANCOPHILE • RUNNER
HARDING
MENDHAM
SIGNATURE SIP: A great bottle of Bordeaux—1990 Château Latour if we’re celebrating!
SIGNATURE SIP: “The Last Laugh” tequila cocktail at The Black Horse Pub.
CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: My wife and children. Family always comes first. Also grateful for my staff and clients at The Pool Boss.
CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Morning coffee and mini-doodle snuggles.
DREAM DINNER GUEST: Frank Sinatra. I could listen to his stories all night.
DREAM DINNER GUEST: Madame de Pompadour. She was a tastemaker, influencer and visionary.
WEEKEND ESCAPE: Somewhere warm—preferably on the water, with a great meal and no agenda. Football games with my family.
WEEKEND ESCAPE: Long runs on the Columbia Trail.
PERFECT SATURDAY: An early round of golf, dinner with close friends at Ristorante MV.
It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. —Rocky Balboa
PERFECT SATURDAY: Helping my customers find something special at Heritage Home Furnishings in Mendham.
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. —Walt Disney
Turn the page for THIS MONTH’S DINING FEATURE ... NOVEMBER 2026 |
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DINING
Season of
Feasting R
For decades, this Morristown landmark has paired prime steaks and fresh seafood with old-school elegance, a celebrated wine list— and a dining experience on wheels.
C
od’s Steak & Seafood Grille, located inside the Madison Hotel, has been serving dinner in the Convent Station section of Morris Township for 75 years. That’s long enough to have watched tastes change, dining rooms loosen their ties and generations of diners come and go. Yet, much of what defines the restaurant remains rooted in another era. You notice it before dinner arrives. The restaurant’s main dining room, a popular setting for intimate dinners, family gatherings and large private affairs, is decorated with rich wood paneling, polished brass and traditional furnishings that give the room a formality that has largely disappeared from contemporary restaurants. This is not a dining room chasing the latest look. Its appeal lies partly in the fact that it isn’t.
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Opposite: The traditional dining room welcomes with old-world architecture, brass accoutrements and tables dressed for dinner. Above: A hearty steak meal with all the trimmings is permanently on the menu at Rod's.
And then there are the parlor cars. Two restored 1800s railroad cars reside adjacent to the restaurant, their elaborate woodwork and period details preserved and their interiors arranged for dinner. Step aboard and Morristown suddenly feels a little farther away. White-clothed tables line the narrow cars, surrounded by the ornament and craftsmanship of nineteenth-century rail travel. They are remnants of another age that have found an improbable second life as dining rooms. The menu stays close to the steak-and-seafood tradition suggested by the restaurant’s name. Dinner might begin with oysters Rockefeller, escargot or shrimp cassoulet before moving on to roast prime rib, filet mignon, Berkshire pork chops or Chilean
sea bass. Desserts follow an equally traditional course: signature cheesecake, chocolate fudge cake, carrot cake and fresh berries with zabaglione cream. Weekend brunch is also offered, along with early-evening dinner options. Wine has its own place in the
Rod’s story. For more than 20 years, the restaurant has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and its list now encompasses 300-plus bottles. But not everything here requires white-tablecloth formality. Just down the corridor, GK’s Red Dog Tavern changes the tempo. The setting is more casual, with food, handcrafted cocktails and live entertainment attracting guests for happy hour, dinner and game-day drinks. Come November, however, attention turns toward Thanksgiving, one of the busiest days on the calendar at The Madison Hotel and Rod’s. “Thanksgiving at The Madison Hotel is about bringing families together and making the holiday feel special, whether they join us for our Thanksgiving Day grand buffet in the
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DINING
A pair of fully restored 1800s railroad cars reside next to the restaurant and offer a memorable dining experience for holiday guests.
ballroom, enjoy a traditional sit-down dinner at Rod’s, or bring the celebration home with one of our Thanksgiving to-go offerings,” says Executive Chef Gustavo Rubio. The scale of the day is considerable. Almost 1,000 guests are served across the various Thanksgiving offerings each year. “Serving nearly 1,000 guests each Thanksgiving is something our culinary team takes tremendous pride in,” says general manager Nancy Waggoner, “and we look forward to being part of so many families’ holiday traditions.” The Thanksgiving sit-down menu leans comfortably into tradition. Standouts include roast turkey with savory stuffing, Chateaubriand, mashed potatoes and gravy with seasonal vegetables, followed by the familiar holiday finish of pumpkin pie and warm caramel apple cake. It is a meal built less around reinvention than ritual—the dishes people expect to find on the table when Turkey Day arrives. Rod’s has persisted through an era in which restaurants have become increasingly casual and dining trends
turn over quickly. Here, much of the experience still rests on things that have changed very little: a bearnaisetopped steak, a bottle of red and a welcoming dining room dressed for the evening. Perhaps that’s why the railroad cars feel less like curiosities than extensions of the restaurant itself. Both honor something from another time while continuing to be used, rather than merely admired. More than seven decades after Rod’s began service in the Morristown area, history still has a place at the table.
Serving nearly 1,000 guests each Thanksgiving is something our culinary team takes tremendous pride in. - NANCY WAGGONER
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THE SCENE
Good Vibes Are on Tap
at Homestead W
COCKTAIL
MOCKTAIL
Cucumber Fizz
Peachy Buzz
1.5 oz Hendrick’s Gin 0.5 oz St. Germaine 0.5 oz Combier Pamplemousse
1.5 oz peach puree 0.5 oz simple syrup Top off with club soda
Muddle with cucumber & lemon
10 DEHART STREET
•
MORRISTOWN
•
ith its rustic farmhouse appeal, trendy bi-level bar and garage-door-style entrance, Homestead Bar & Kitchen welcomes drinkers and diners with craft cocktails, beer and elevated bar bites. The outdoor patio is an especially popular happy-hour hangout and late-night lounge area. Frequent live music and deejay sets are scheduled and energetic crowds gather around the sprawling TVs to cheer on their favorite sports teams. For those who crave a quieter spot, a private section on the upstairs mezzanine level is available to rent for intimate parties and special events. Homestead is open seven days a week, but especially springs to life each evening when crowds congregate. Appetizers and bar bites include nachos, tuna tartare, cheeseburger sliders, popcorn chicken and coconut shrimp. For heartier appetites, offerings include burgers, seasonal lobster rolls, seared shrimp tacos, fried chicken and dinner-sized salads. Saturday and Sunday brunch are local favorites with a large buffet of traditional breakfast fare as well as salads, pasta and desserts. The bar scene is lively with seasonal house cocktails and daily drink specials like the Empress Hibiscus Spritz, Hot Honey Peach Marg and Bourbon Pineapple Smash. Happy hour is Monday through Thursday, 3 to 6 pm. Owner Billy Walsh says, “We love being a place where people come together. Between last-minute meet-ups, after-work happy hours, special celebrations, nights out and being pretty family-friendly during the day, we’re a welcoming spot for many occasions. Our simple goal is to create a constantly evolving environment that gives people a reason to gather and a reason to keep coming back.”
THEHOMESTEADNJ.COM
•
@THEHOMESTEADNJ
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GIVING BACK
Philanthropy as a
WAY OF LIFE Nina Christine Yacavino believes generosity begins close to home—and extends far beyond.
You believe philanthropy is about more than writing a check? The simplest gestures can create a ripple effect that spreads kindness. Even a single hour of volunteer service can have lasting impact. For example, each year I create small bud vases filled with flowers from my garden and deliver them to the hospital to brighten patients’ rooms. There are so many ways to make a difference. Fostering a puppy for The Seeing Eye, volunteering with St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, donating extra food to the Chester Mendham Food Pantry or dropping off household items at Market Street Mission are all ways we can contribute. Although you spend most of your time in New York and
Florida, some of your favorite causes are locally based? That’s true. Although we divide our time between New York City and Palm Beach, there’s something about Mendham that simply can’t be replaced. Our local landscape—with its quiet elegance, horse farms and country roads—is extraordinarily beautiful. I try to attend and support local events that benefit organizations like The Schiff Natural Lands Trust, Harding Land Trust, Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center, The Garden Club of Somerset Hills, Essex Hunt Club, New Jersey Audubon and The Raptor Trust. A few years ago, a group of friends produced a beautiful fashion show benefiting Grow It Green Morristown. Supporting local charities is a meaningful way to preserve the spirit of our community. When did your passion for philanthropy begin? It all stems from my grandfather’s example. When I was just 10 years old, he took me to my very first gala to benefit the New Jersey State Opera, which he founded, and I was thrilled to be seated next to Brooke Shields. My grandfather
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MONIKA DE MYER
Nina, you have a reputation as a passionate philanthropist. What’s your philosophy? I truly believe that philanthropy should be an extension of everyday life. Financial contributions are important, of course, but every person has the ability to make a meaningful difference through simple acts of kindness.
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generously supported institutions like the Garden State Ballet, Boys & Girls Club of Newark and the New Jersey Symphony. Caldwell University’s Vincent Visceglia Arts Center, named in his honor, provides artists with a supportive place to create. Although I may never match my grandfather’s level of giving, his example inspires me.
Every person has the ability to make a meaningful difference through simple acts of kindness.
You also created your own non-profit initiative? Yes. Years ago, I established a donor-advised fund that has become an important part of my philanthropic approach because it allows me to thoughtfully support the organizations closest to my heart. That same purpose inspired me to create Karma Love Perfume, a luxury fragrance crafted in the South of France with a singular mission—to support charitable causes. Over the years, Karma Love has graced the silent auction tables at countless fundraising galas. Besides supporting local non-profits, you also champion worthwhile causes along the East Coast?
That’s right. In both New York and Palm Beach, I support organizations that celebrate the arts and preserve culture. I’ve long admired the Princess Grace Foundation because its mission is to nurture the next generation of exceptional artists in theater, dance and film. I also support French Heritage Society, National Trust for Scotland, New York Botanical Garden, The Frick Collection, Susan G. Komen, Palm Beach Symphony, Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach Historical Society, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and the Central Park Women’s Committee. I hope my own small example of giving with purpose encourages others to support the organizations that speak to them.
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GET OUT THERE
Local Events to Love
Your guide to what’s happening around Morristown
NOVEMBER 12 | 7:00–9:00 PM
First Soldiers: Revolutionary War Veteran Images Historian Michael Jesberger shares rare military images and stories. Discover the faces of America’s founding generation during its 250th anniversary year. Free; registration required. Location: Mendham Township Library, 2 West Main Street, Brookside NOVEMBER 14 | 12:30–3:30 PM
Morristown Rebel Crawl
Raise a glass to Revolutionary history at four downtown pubs. During this spirited afternoon, professional re-enactors share tales of the people and events that shaped American independence. Ages 21 and older.
For the
Littles NOVEMBER 13 | 4:00 PM–8:00 PM
Kids Night Out: Pilgrim & Pirate Drop the kids off for a Friday evening of sports, crafts, pizza and themed activities while parents enjoy a night out. Open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade; registration required. Location: Greater Morristown YMCA, 79 Horsehill Road, Cedar Knolls NOVEMBER 21 | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Opening Weekend at Hidden Pond Tree Farm
Location: Sign up online www.revolutionarycrawlsandevents.com
Kick off the holidays with Christmas tree shopping, weekend train rides, bonfires, hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting, weather permitting.
NOVEMBER 14 | 1:00 PM
Location: Hidden Pond Tree Farm, 4 Westfield Road, Mendham
Make Fresh Mozzarella with a Chef Create this Italian treat with Chef Sal Pisani of Jersey Artisan Cafe. The hands-on experience celebrates beloved food traditions, and participants take home freshly made cheese. Location: Haggerty Education Center, Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township NOVEMBER 21 | 8:00 PM
NOVEMBER 26 | 8:30 AM
Read Feed Run Turkey Trot Start Thanksgiving morning with a family-friendly 5K, a one-mile Fun Run/ Walk and a Kids Trot for ages 12 and under, while supporting local food and literacy initiatives. 5K begins at 8:30 AM, Fun Run/Walk at 8:45 AM and Kids Trot at 9:15 AM. Location: Ginty Field, 45 Woodland Avenue, Morristown
#IMOMSOHARD: The Flashback Tour
NOVEMBER 27 | 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
Gather your gal pals for laughs with comedians Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley as they share an irreverent, nostalgic take on motherhood, marriage, friendship and everyday chaos.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage
Location: Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown SUNDAYS THROUGH NOVEMBER 22 | 8:30 AM–1:00 PM
Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang bring the beloved holiday classic to life on stage with the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi. Location: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street, Morristown NOVEMBER 28 | 5:00 PM
Morristown Farmers Market
Santa’s Arrival & Lighting of the Green
Make the most of the market’s final Sundays and plan your own farm-to-table feast. Stock up on fresh produce, baked goods, specialty foods and local finds. Bundle up and bring your market bag before winter arrives.
Kick off the season in Downtown Morristown as Santa makes his grand entrance and the Green comes to life with thousands of twinkling lights for this annual tradition. The official event is confirmed for November 28, with additional scheduling details still to come.
Location: Morristown Parking Authority Lot 10J at Spring and Morris Streets, Morristown
Location: Morristown Green
by Nathalie Masse When she’s not on her yoga mat, Nathalie volunteers with various local organizations including Mansion in May. Follow her on Instagram @nathaliesmusings.
by Melissa DeSanti Melissa is the founder of Morris Bernards Moms. Follow her on Instagram @morrisbernardsmoms for more local family finds.
MELISSA DESANTI IMAGE BY ALI MATOUSEK OF TWO-SIX PHOTOGRAPHY
GROWN-UP GATHERINGS
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ONE MO’ THOUGHT
The Game We Played The 1970s marked the peak of a beloved New Jersey Turkey Day tradition that is now all but gone.
O
n November 26, 1977, my high school football career ended. Far from glorious fanfare, my gridiron time culminated in wearing a wet, blood-stained uniform and limping off a muddy field after suffering an ignominious thumping at the hands of our archrivals on Thanksgiving Day. While it might very well have been the most lopsided defeat of the more than 100 high school football games played that day in New Jersey, I can honestly say, regardless of the outcome, I would happily do it all again. Without a centralized state football playoff system, which was only beginning to be established in the mid-1970s, “Turkey Bowls” pitting crosstown or next-town rivals were often regarded as the season finale across the state, regularly drawing standing-room-only crowds. Regardless of a team’s record during the season, no game was as important as
the one played on Thanksgiving. Teams with poor records received immediate redemption if victorious. Conversely, no matter how good your record, losing on Thanksgiving cast a shadow on an otherwise successful season. The night before our big game in 1977, our team had dinner at a local Italian restaurant. As we exited the restaurant, we were met by a bevy of fire trucks with lights and sirens blaring. After boarding the vehicles and climbing up to the top deck, we were paraded through the center of town and escorted by local police and volunteer firemen to the train station. There we were greeted by the marching band, drill team, color guard, cheerleaders and an enthusiastic student body, all waving our school’s regalia. The boisterous procession then headed to the high school, where a huge bonfire was lit in the parking lot and a straw dummy dressed in our opposition’s colors,
complete with helmet and pads, was unceremoniously tossed into the blazing inferno amid even more cheering revelers. Excitement filled the cool, crisp autumn night air, which smelled of fallen leaves and burning wood. Sparks from the bonfire streaked into the evening sky like shooting stars. For this one shining moment, a mediocre football team, void of any current or future stars, received a hero’s send-off. On this night, the school administration turned a blind eye to a bit of organized, sanctioned mayhem. After all, it was Thanksgiving Eve in Jersey. Today, primarily because of the expansion of playoff games at season’s end, hundreds of cherished, decadeslong Thanksgiving high school football contests are largely gone. We never again played our archrival on Thanksgiving. Like 50-cent-a-gallon gasoline, leisure suits and eight-track audio tapes, they have proceeded down a long tunnel of time, never to return. Big games and great rivalries still exist, but pale in comparison to Thanksgiving football. Upon reflection, it isn’t so much about the sport, the game or even the outcome that seems so important today. It was the ritual, the tradition, the pride in our team and school, as well as the sense of community that made it so special. It was an esprit de corps that channeled Norman Rockwell, with a salute to John Madden. The years have a way of making our 52–0 shellacking less consequential, while the fondness and appreciation of the experience, like a single-malt scotch, only warm and deepen over time. by R.F. Bush, Jr. The author resides in Mendham Township and proudly played for the Bernards High School Mountaineers from 1974-1977.
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