We are here to make it happen and help you every step of the way. Our track record proves to getting you the highest price, best terms, with the least amount of stress.
Pilot Russ Mowry flies to the PTHS Veterans Wall in a helicopter he knew during the Vietnam War.
14 Alla Famiglia— to Family!
Since coming to America in the 1950s, Vincenzo Anello Sr. has relished a life built on bonds of home and heritage.
18 From Pop-Pop to Author Joseph (Trip) Schweighardt publishes his entertaining bedtime tales for his grandchildren.
24 Celebrating 2 Years!
Enjoy a collection of Pequannock & Pompton Plains covers, with thanks to all our contributors.
Hillview Elementary School Teacher of the Year Sarah Callaghan
Elevate your spaces with thoughtful designs and renovations.
Great spots for outdoor eating, with select locations near the Rail Trai
Vincenzo Anello Sr. has nurtured a lasting marriage, raised a loving family and built a successful business.
Photograph by Antonietta Henry
wWELCOME JUNE and sweet summertime!
As the school year winds down, we celebrate Hillview Elementary School’s teacher of the year, Sarah Callaghan, with a special interview. She’s a beautiful example of doing what you love, and it shows, from growing up playing and loving school to fulfilling her dreams of teaching children academics and spreading kindness. What a thrill it was to personally attend the Veteran’s Wall ceremony and watch Russ Mowry land the Huey helicopter at Pequannock Township High School. He hovered around, followed by a meet-and-greet with families snapping videos and pics
of the day. If you missed it, read on and enjoy learning more about this honorable veteran pilot.
Our cover feature is perfectly suited for Father’s Day. Vincent Anello Sr. and his wife, Catherine, are the proud parents of five amazing children and grandparents to 19. Be sure to read this beautiful story dedicated “to family.”
It’s such a delight to share “Pop-Pop” Joseph (Trip) Schweighardt’s story. It’s never too late to publish your very own book, especially after your grandchildren nudge you along after you’ve shared the story about “Floyd the Ice Cream-Eating Dragon” with them for years.
June officially launches us into warm weather and life outdoors. Check out our suggested outdoor dining guide, enjoy the rail trail and plan to grab a bite along the way.
I hope you are as excited as I am to celebrate two years of publication. Enjoy our special two-page spread showing all of our beautiful editions to date. Special thanks to everyone who has participated, shared their stories and sponsored our publication by advertising local businesses and more. Third year is a charm, and the best is yet to come!
In closing, our Photo Op page offers the perfect depiction of mouthwatering seasonal strawberries.
Wishing you a safe and fun summer! As always, be sure to send your ideas, photos and stories for consideration to hello@ pequannockmagazine.com. We are a magazine for and about you!
Donna Fillweber Publisher
Pequannock & Pompton Plains
Editor & Publisher
Donna Fillweber
Writers
Antonietta Henry
Dana Regan
Debbie Walsh
Photographer
Antonietta Henry
Ed Leonard Dan Piccoli
WAINSCOT MEDIA
Chairman Carroll V. Dowden
President and CEO
Mark Dowden
VP, Group Publisher, Regional Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy
Maria Regan
Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
Art Director
Rosemary O’Connell
Executive Editor
Richard Laliberte
Associate Editor
Sophia Carlisle
Advertising Services Director
Jacquelynn Fischer
Operations Director
Catherine Rosario
Production Designer Chris Ferrante
Print Production Manager
Fern Meshulam
Advertising Production Associate
Griff Dowden
Pequannock & Pompton Plains magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Pequannock Township, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN PICCOLI
Top-Notch Teacher
Hillview Elementary School’s most recently named Teacher of the Year reflects on her vocation’s joys, challenges and inspirations.
BY DANA REGAN
INTERVIEW WITH SARAH CALLAGHAN
SARAH CALLAGHAN has been teaching in Pequannock for about 14 years. Each year, Pequannock schools recognize outstanding teachers and highlight all of the good that they do. This year, Hillview Elementary School awarded Callaghan with the Teacher of the Year award. This welldeserved accolade puts her in the spotlight, where she belongs. We asked her to talk about her background and experiences—and why she loves educating children.
Can you share your experience on the road to becoming a teacher?
I grew up in Pequannock and went to Townsend University for my undergraduate degree. I am currently finishing up at TCNJ [The College of New Jersey] for my graduate work. I got married in 2018, and I have two beautiful daughters, Nora and Molly. When I graduated from college, my first job was at Stephen J. Gerace Elementary School. I worked there for two years and then moved to Hillview. I’ve been at Hillview ever since. Granted, I have known I wanted to be a teacher most of my life. I’ve always loved and wanted to be around children. When I was younger, I loved school. I always wanted to play school or be the teacher’s helper.
As a teacher, what makes you smile?
I love the students and their unique personalities. I love how every day is different and exciting. I also love living in town and watching the students grow up. I see them around town and I can catch up with them. I love hearing what they remember from fourth or fifth grade. Having those kinds of relationships is awesome. Also, I am proud of how I emphasize kindness in my classroom. I not only teach my students academics, but I also teach them how to be a good person and a well-rounded individual.
Being a fifth-grade teacher, it also makes me feel good as I get them ready for middle school.
What challenges do you face in your role?
The most challenging part of my job involves time. It seems there is never enough of it. Fitting everything into the curriculum is a challenge [while] at the same time fitting in fun activities with my class. Also, planning takes a lot of a teacher’s time. It is so important, yet I never feel like there is enough time to do it all.
What people do you consider to be your biggest support system?
My biggest supporters are my family members: my husband, my children and my extended family.
What about your students inspires you the most?
I love their energy and their willingness to learn. Every day they come in and it’s a new day. They work so hard and never give up. This is what inspires me.
Dana Regan is a longtime educator who enjoys reading, writing, walking and yoga. Her newest hobby will be loving, hugging and kissing her very first grandchild.
Elevate Your Space
A local kitchen renovation shows what’s possible in design and function while sticking to your budget.
JUST ONE REMODELING
project can show what’s possible in revitalizing a key space like the kitchen. In photos on this page, what was once a dated, closed-off space is now the heart of the home—bright, open and tailored for both everyday living and entertaining. This kitchen renovation blends timeless design with modern convenience, featuring custom cabinetry, quartz countertops and state-of-the-art appliances.
A reimagined layout removed walls to create a seamless connection to the dining and living areas. A central island anchors the space, offering additional storage, seating and prep surface. Warm wood accents and classic white cabinets add depth and contrast, balancing clean lines with inviting texture.
Thoughtful touches—like undercabinet lighting, floating wood shelves and built-in appliances—prove that functionality can be beautiful. This renovation doesn’t just update a space; it transforms how the homeowners live in it.
Steve Contaldi, owner/operator of Contaldi Creations, LLC, has been working in the home improvement industry since he was 20 years old. He brings his 40-plus years of experience to every project he touches and can provide a complete range of remodeling services from initial design to final installation.
REALISM AND RESULTS
If you visit Contaldi’s showroom at 306 Wanaque Avenue in Pompton Lakes, you’ll understand how he and his team won an award presented to the company at the Kitchen and Bath
Industry Show in Las Vegas last year.
“Our customers trust in our ability to make their dreams a reality,” Contaldi says. For him and his team, it’s not just about completing a project, it’s about ensuring that clients feel heard, respected and informed throughout the entire renovation process.
Contaldi personally meets with every potential client, listens to their vision and offers realistic assessments of what is achievable within their budget and timeline. He’s careful to avoid overpromising or inflating costs, ensuring that clients aren’t hit with hidden fees or surprises down the road.
Contaldi Creations, LLC’s integrity is more than just about completing projects—it’s about building lasting relationships with clients and fostering their trust. With a focus on transparency, quality craftsmanship and ethical business practices, Contaldi and his team continue to uphold the highest standards in the industry.
Bonding With a Warbird
Russ Mowry flies to the PTHS Veterans Wall dedication in a helicopter he knew during the Vietnam War.
BY DEBBIE WALSH
TTHE SIGHT OF the Bell UH-1H Iroquois, an iconic symbol of the Vietnam War, and its unmistakable thumping sound came to life at the Pequannock Township High School (PTHS) Alumni Veterans Wall dedication. Russ Mowry, a combat pilot who had flown the same Huey over 50 years ago during the Vietnam War, was the one who made it happen.
Last spring, Mowry, a 1962 PTHS graduate, heard about plans to install a veterans alumni wall through an outreach campaign launched by the committee heading the project. Committee members sought the names of all PTHS graduates who served in the military so they could obtain permission to inscribe the veterans’ names on the wall.
Mowry not only accepted the
invitation to have his name included but also floated the idea of flying the UH-1 Huey 823 to the November 17 dedication ceremony. Realizing the historical and emotional significance of Huey 823, ceremony planners enthusiastically endorsed Mowry’s offer.
“Liberty Warbirds keeps Huey 823 at Lancaster Airport [Pennsylvania],” Mowry says. “They flew the helicopter to Lincoln Park Airport, and I flew it to the high school, which is only eighttenths of a mile away—and I took the long way. I landed it on the spot, which used to be the infield of the high school baseball diamond where I played baseball for four years.”
Thrilled with the 400-person turnout, Mowry says it was particularly gratifying to have family and friends at the ceremony.
Pilot
REUNITING WITH HUEY 823
Mowry’s relationship with Huey 823 began when he left Paterson State Teacher’s College in 1967 to join the U.S. Army. As part of the 170th Assault Helicopter Company (aka The Bikinis), he flew combat helicopters in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from 1967 to 1971.
In 2015, the Liberty War Bird Association, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, acquired Huey 823 from a private
owner and dedicated itself to raising funds in order to restore the aircraft to its original condition. Tasked with recreating the nose art in 2016, Mowry painted the Bikinis’ emblem, featuring a depiction of the pinup known as Annie Fanny. This assignment was reminiscent of the same project he had completed approximately 50 years earlier.
“They restored it how it was; they did not upgrade it except for a few minor things,” Mowry says. “It is authentic. You can still see the bullet holes.”
When people hear Mowry is flying the exact same Huey that he flew in Vietnam, they are awestruck. The unlikelihood of teaming up with a helicopter he flew a half century ago causes Mowry to wonder if any other pilots share this rare distinction.
THE LIBERTY WARBIRD MISSION
The Warbirds’ mission is to educate, honor and restore. The organization seeks to honor those who served and has restored the aircraft to allow people to appreciate the importance of the Huey during the Vietnam War.
The presence of the Huey at different events allows veterans to connect and share their stories. The Warbirds fly the helicopter to different civic, aviation and veterans’ events, reaching thousands of people annually.
Witnessing firsthand the impact the arrival of Huey has on veterans, Mowry notes that Vietnam veterans in general did not exactly come back to a hero’s welcome. Vietnam vets typically had no time to decompress and began the hunt for a job immediately upon their return.
Approximately 15 percent of Vietnam veterans experienced post-traumatic
Above: Helicopter pilot Russ Mowry flew combat missions in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Opposite page: Huey 823, a Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopter that saw action in the conflict, lands at Pequannock Township High School.
stress disorder, and the majority did not receive adequate treatment because the issue was less recognized at that time. Mowry realizes he was one of the lucky ones because he did not have difficulty returning to civilian life.
“It is about the sound of those blades, which is the sound of the Vietnam experience,” he says. “When we fly in, people get to hear it, see it and touch it. Vets get to experience it and connect with other vets and family and friends.”
A RELUCTANT HERO
When Mowry came home, he moved to Vermont, where he served in the Vermont National Guard as a flight instructor until the late 1970s. He also earned his bachelor’s degree in art education, with studio honors from the University of Vermont. He returned to Pompton Plains, where he raised a family and found a job as a corporate pilot.
Despite the award of a Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medals and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry—all associated with valor and heroism—Mowry deflects the notion that he is a hero. Though he flew special ops in some of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous missions, one of his closest brushes with death came as a pilot with NBC News.
On May 4, 2004, Mowry was piloting a Channel 4 helicopter with reporter Andrew Torres, covering a breaking news story involving a shooting in Brooklyn. The copter’s failed tail rotor sent the craft careering wildly as Mowry wrestled to keep it under control before it crash-landed on the rooftop of an apartment building.
An ABC News helicopter crew captured the harrowing scene live. The footage of the helicopter’s tail snapping off and the crushed fuselage painted an ominous picture, but miraculously Mowry and his two passengers survived
without serious injuries. Witnesses touted Mowry as a hero for his efforts.
“It was the most viewed helicopter crash in history because it was broadcast live on the 6 p.m. [news],” he recalls.
After the crash, Mowry retired from his career as a pilot and moved to New Hampshire in 2006. He and his wife, Patty, restored a historic 1795 farmhouse, where he operates an art studio out of a barn. Now that he is no longer routinely in the cockpit, he has the time to turn a hobby into a serious pursuit and swap out a control stick for a paintbrush.
Debbie Walsh has 30 years of experience writing for various newspaper publications and more recently as a ghost blogger. A semiretired sports mom, she enjoys dining out with friends, reading and playing golf in her spare time.
Opposite page, top: Russ Mowry with close friend and fellow pilot George Reenstra. Opposite page, bottom: Principal Richard Hayzler poses with Mowry, a 1962 PTHS graduate, in front of Huey 823. Above: Mowry (center) attends an award ceremony at The Legacy Castle after the official Veterans Wall dedication with (from left) David Kohle and Colleen Murphy McMahon, head of the PTHS Alumni Veterans Committee. Both Kohle and Murphy McMahon are trustees for the nonprofit.
Alla Famiglia— to Family!
Since coming to America in the 1950s, Vincenzo Anello Sr. has relished a life built on bonds of home and heritage.
BY ANTONIETTA HENRY
SIN THE SMALL mountain town of Bompietro in the province of Palermo, Sicily, Vincenzo Anello entered the world. In 1956, his father, Salvatore Anello, left Italy to work in the United States with hopes of providing a better life for his loving wife, Giuseppa, and their children.
Two years later, in 1958, more of the family joined Salvatore in Garfield, New Jersey, including Vince, his mother and Vince’s older brother, Joseph.
As a young boy, Vince was put into the American school system speaking only Italian. “I had a classmate who befriended me and taught me how to speak English,” he recalls with a smile.
It didn’t take long for the young Vince’s business instincts to kick in. “I worked at the Herald News as a teenager for two years,” he says.
A top carrier for the paper, Vince’s work ethic continued when he began working for the family fence business
with his father and older brother. After graduating high school, Vince headed to Washington, D.C., and earned his degrees (Bachelor of Science and business administration) from Strayer University. He enjoyed his time in school in our nation’s capital. “It was a great time in my life,” Vince says. “I remember attending the inauguration of Richard Nixon in 1969. I enjoyed studying in Washington, D.C.”
Opposite: Vince Sr. and Catherine Anello, parents of five, grandparents of 19. This page: On the grounds of Freedom Fence, Vincenzo Anello Sr. (center) gathers with his sons (from left) Sal, Vince Jr, Christopher and Anthony.
FATHER OF FIVE
During his summers home, Vince continued to work alongside his dad and brother. At this time, Vince’s sisters, Maria and Pietrina, came to join the family in New Jersey. After his first year of college, Vince also worked at a fence company in Virginia as a salesman to put himself through school. “My parents always taught us to work hard,” he says. After college, Vince used his degrees to continue working with the fence business, and at that time, he met the love of his life, Catherine Taddeo. The pair met in 1972, were engaged in 1973 and married in 1974!
“I knew she wasn’t just my other
half but my better half,” says Vince, a sentiment he repeats often. They took a trip around the world for their honeymoon and promptly settled in to start a family while the fence business continued to grow.
A year later, the couple welcomed their first child, a son, Salvatore, named after Vince’s father. They went on to have sons Vincenzo Jr., Christopher and Anthony, and a daughter, Angela.
During the time they were having children, they built a house on land in Pompton Plains in 1982, and the now-empty-nesters remain at the same residence.
Through all the hustle and bustle of
raising children and running a fence business, family life was important, especially Sunday meals. “Times around the dinner table to talk and enjoy food kept everyone close,” says Catherine. “There’s nothing like gathering for dinner together.”
A household with five children was full of stories, especially when you added a menagerie of animals. From hamster escapes to a rescued baby deer, animals were a constant, and included goats, sheep, rabbits, turkey, ducks and, of course, dogs and cats! “There was always something happening on the property, never a dull moment,” says Vince.
A FAMILY BUSINESS
Vince’s sons always worked at the fencing business while growing up, and in between working, Vince was very active in kid’s athletics for his children. He was president of Pequannock Soccer, president of Jersey Hills Soccer League and president of Friends of Wrestling, to name a few.
“Being a part of the community is important,” he says. He also funded the Sports Factory Soccer Bubble in Lincoln Park in 2002 and was instrumental in bringing Cedar Crest Senior Living Community to Pompton Plains.
Freedom Fence, owned by Vince’s sons, has many moving parts. Anthony is almost always in-house and handles most walk-ins. “I love working in the town I grew up in and now live in,”
Left: Catherine and Vince Sr. in front of the Freedom Fence family wall art. Above: Where it all began: Vince Anello as an infant with his father, Salvatore Anello Sr., and mother, Giuseppa Anello.
Opposite page, from top: The Anello family celebrates Vince Sr. and Catherine’s 50th wedding anniversary in August 2024. Attendees at the gathering included son Christopher and his wife, Adrianna; son Anthony with his wife, Danielle; daughter Angela with her husband, Lawrence Steimel; son Salvatore; son Vince Jr. with his wife, Erin; and 19 grandchildren. (Photo courtesy of the family/Suite 102 Photography.) Vince Sr. and Catherine (front, center) at their 50th anniversary with (back, from left) Vince Jr., Sal and Christopher Anello, and (front, from left) Anthony Anello and Angela Steimel. (Photo courtesy of the family/Suite 102 Photography.)
Anthony says. “Dad has taught us so much, and we’re grateful.”
Sal explains, “This business is all about family, and we learned that from our father. He also taught us the technical side. We do everything from supply and install [for] commercial and residential fencing [to] manufacturing and wholesale, [and handle] walk-ins as well as appointments, [providing] free estimates servicing Northern New Jersey.”
“Dad taught us everything we know from the bottom up,” says Christopher. “My brothers and I love nothing more than working with our dad.”
Vince Jr. credits his father with all their experience. “We’ve done it all, from sweeping floors to building fences and [doing] estimates,” he says. “It gives us the ability to answer all client questions. We couldn’t have
done any of this without Dad teaching us from the start.”
Although Vince’s sons own Freedom Fence, their mother Catherine says, “[Vince] will never truly retire, but the difference is [that] now he can come in [to work] on his own terms, no set schedules. He gave the boys the foundation they needed to run a successful business. There is a lot of glue in this business; the family keeps it together.” The family considers the business Vince’s legacy.
Receptionist and go-to assistant for Freedom Fence is Elmina Zisa. The boys say that the invaluable Zisa helps run the ship. She is usually the face behind the front desk to greet you when you enter the doors of Freedom Fence at 340 NJ-23 in Pompton Plains, or the cheerful voice that answers the phone.
GRANDFATHER OF 19
In his spare time, Vince enjoys tending his vegetable garden in warmer months and traveling with Catherine, whether it be on cruises or a drive to Atlantic City. Of course, he’s had plenty of trips to his homeland of Italy, but as of late, closer destinations work best for the grandparents of 19, and counting!
Vince’s biggest pastime with Catherine is keeping up with the grandchildren and being superfans at events for wrestling, soccer, hockey, baseball, cheerleading, lacrosse, gymnastics, dance and volleyball! The two love spending time with all of the grandkids, who call Vince “Cumba,” a term of endearment. Both Vince and Catherine say their time with the grandchildren brings them much joy.
The Anellos feel very blessed, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2024. It’s a special time in their lives, and they don’t take it for granted. “Dad always reminds us that he’s family-rich; it’s the best wealth in the world,” Sal reflects.
“Family comes first; knowing your priorities is important,” says Vince. “When it comes down to it, I owe everything to my dad, Salvatore Sr. He came to America first and made all the sacrifices to give me a better life. I was able to become whatever I wanted to, get my citizenship and live the American dream, all because of Dad.”
In a full-circle moment, Vince’s daughter, Angela Steimel, shares similar sentiments. “I admire my dad so much for coming to this country with nothing and building a better life for himself,” she says. “If it wasn’t for all his hard work and sacrifices, I wouldn’t have had the wonderful upbringing I had.”
Vince is pleased that the family traditions and fence business that his father passed down continues thriving. It’s common in many Italian families to raise a glass and toast “alla famiglia,” or “to family.” Here’s to family and traditions! Happy Father’s Day, Vincenzo!
Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography in Pompton Plains. She enjoys living and working in our beautiful township!
From Pop-Pop to Author
Joseph (Trip) Schweighardt’s grandchildren pushed their favorite babysitter to publish his entertaining bedtime tales.
BY DEBBIE WALSH
WWHAT A WILD trip it has been for Dr. Joseph Schweighardt, a retired dentist who packed up his dental tools, reignited his writing skills and discovered a new calling as a children’s book author, thanks to the loving prodding of his grandchildren.
Though most know Schweighardt as Trip (a name sticking with him since childhood as one of three, or triple, family members named Joseph), the name he cherishes most these days is Pop-Pop.
After 40 years as a Wayne dentist, Schweighardt finds joy in helping care for his grandchildren, who live in Pequannock and Budd Lake. His Tuesday-night babysitting ventures began when his daughter, Kristin, began attending Christmas choir practice at The Chapel (Jacksonville). His son-in-law, Andy, participated in meetings there at the same time.
The babysitting stint usually culminated with reading bedtime stories to his granddaughters, Natalie (Nat) and Katherine (Kat) Watson. After reading them countless books, Schweighardt decided to put his storytelling talents to the test. That is when he brought to life the tale of Floyd, a blue, ice cream-eating dragon. Floyd’s, red, fire-breathing peers rejected him because he was different.
“I decided to spin a tale of my own for them,” Schweighardt says. “Hence, ‘Floyd the Ice Cream- Eating Dragon: A Bedtime Story’ came to life. Each week I added a little more to the story, and the three of us would laugh as I flew around the room flapping my arms for ice cream. I offhandedly mentioned Floyd’s adventures would make an enjoyable book and I should write it. And I really did not think of it again.”
Retired dentist Joseph (Trip) Schweighardt is the grandfather of six and author of “Floyd, the Ice Cream-Eating Dragon: A Bedtime Story.”
KID COLLABORATORS
Years later, Kat reminded him of something he had completely forgotten: his once-stated but unfulfilled intention of writing a book. Though Schweighardt uttered the book-writing idea as a passing comment, he decided to make good on his unofficial promise.
Schweighardt learned a valuable lesson: Be careful what you say in front of children; you might forget, but they will remember.
Schweighardt brainstormed the storyline for the book with Nat, 11, and Kat, 9, and revisited a familiar and timeless theme of an outcast main character who becomes an unlikely hero and eventually receives acceptance and admiration from the ones who spurned him. Nat and Kat even receive credits for their contributions on the book’s cover.
Schweighardt cast his granddaughters and their parents as royalty in his book. Not born yet when Schweighardt first imagined Floyd as the star of his bedtime story, Schweighardt seamlessly added grandson Jack to the tale. Jack even inspired a revision to the book when he noticed an illustration of Prince Jack eating an ice cream flavor that did not match his taste preferences.
The book’s illustrator based the character renderings on photographs of the Watson children, adding authenticity to the artwork.
THE PUBLISHING PATH
Schweighardt is not the type of father or grandfather to play favorites. A sequel is already in progress: “Floyd the Ice Cream-Eating Dragon Makes New Friends: Another Bedtime Story.” This new book will highlight his Budd
Lake grandchildren Maddie, Quint and Finley, along with their parents, Amanda and Joe Schweighardt, who live in the Morris County community.
Schweighardt envisions a third book that will feature his son, Kyle, and his wife, Cait, who live in Pittsburgh, and are proud dog owners. “Floyd, the Ice Cream-Eating Dragon Gets Pets” could round out the trilogy.
Admittedly not an avid reader himself, Schweighardt initially found the whole idea of getting a book published a bit intimidating. Before diving into the world of publishing, he reached out to a friend, Stephen Rusiniak, a retired Wayne police officer and, more recently, a published author, for a few pointers. With Rusiniak’s advice, Schweighardt began researching publishing houses online and eventually signed a contract with Fulton Books.
When it came to choosing a writing style, Schweighardt relied on whimsical, rhythmic poetry reminiscent of the ever-popular children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. (Coincidentally, both “doctors” received undergraduate degrees from Dartmouth College, but only Schweighardt went off to earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania.)
A FAMILY STORY
Now that he is a published author, Schweighardt endures a bit of playful ribbing: Friends tell him he might just be the next Dr. Seuss. Schweighardt jokingly admits his new book is not likely to topple the Seuss literary empire, which has sold more than 600 million books.
Since his book’s release, Schweighardt has received invitations to read his story at schools, and young readers have even asked him to autograph their copies. His newfound minor celebrity status is not something he anticipated.
Knowing what he knows now, would Schweighardt do anything different if he launched a first-time children’s book series? Having the benefit of hindsight, the dragon might not be named Floyd.
“If I had ever known when I came up with this story that it would someday become a book, I would have called the dragon something else, maybe Matt,” Schweighardt admits with a chuckle. “The book is written in verse and rhyme. Do you know what a challenge it is to find words that rhyme with Floyd?”
TRIP’S TRIVIA
Here are some other fun facts about retired dentist and newly published children’s book author Joseph (Trip) Schweighardt:
• Schweighardt’s wife, Linda, worked by his side as a dental hygienist.
• He dedicated his children’s book to Linda.
• They have three adult children, all Penn State graduates.
• His grandson, called Quint, is the family’s fifth consecutive “Joe.”
• Schweighardt attends church at The Chapel (Jacksonville).
• He jogs around Pequannock in his spare time.
• His second retirement job is with Guest Services at MetLife Stadium. Ulterior motive: See football games and concerts at work.
• His father served as a Wayne Township councilman for 20 years before stepping down in 2021. Prior to his town council service, Schweighardt’s father was a Wayne Township School Board trustee for 15 years, serving part of that time as president.
• Schweighardt’s mother, Beverlee, taught for 40 years, mostly at Packanack Elementary School. Prior assignment: Wayne’s Albert P. Terhune School.
• Schweighardt’s book, “Floyd the Ice Cream-Eating Dragon: A Bedtime Story,” is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Debbie Walsh has 30 years of experience writing for various newspaper publications and more recently as a ghost blogger. A semiretired sports mom, she enjoys dining out with friends, reading and playing golf in her spare time.
Opposite page: Trip Schweighardt reads his book to three of his grandchildren, (from left) Jack, Natalie and Katherine Watson. Above: The Watson children with Pop-Pop’s book!
Photo Courtesy of Cambridge Pavers, Inc.
Celebrating
Suggested Spots for Outdoor Dining
A roster of great places to eat al fresco— with select locations near the Pompton Valley Rail Trail highlighted.
MONTVILLE
Columbia Inn 29 Route 202 (973) 263-1300 thecolumbiainn.com
MORRISTOWN
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen 110 South St. (973) 644-3180 jockeyhollowbarandkitchen.com
1776 By David Burke 67 East Park Place (973) 829-1776 1776bydb.com
MOUNTAIN LAKES
The Station 99 Midvale Road (973) 335-5330 thestationatmountainlakes.com
PEQUANNOCK/ POMPTON PLAINS
Bardi’s Bar & Grill 149 Newark-Pompton Turnpike (973) 694-1058 bardisgrill.com
Stefano’s Restaurant 565 Route 23 South (973) 616-6624 stefanosrestaurant.net
Pizza Man Trattoria Italiano Clock Tower Shopping Center 574 Newark-Pompton Turnpike (973) 835-3383 pizzamantrattoria.com
High SocieTea House 20 Old Newark Pompton Turnpike (973) 696-8327 highsocieteanj.com
Grasshopper Too 26 Erie Avenue 973 696 9698 grasshoppertoo.com
Grasshopper Too
High SocieTea House
website: www.thebackyardbirdingstore.com
OP
THERE’S NOTHING LIKE berry-stained fingertips during strawberry season! Pick your own or grab them to go at Farms View Roadstand in Wayne. This shot of a unique strawberry with heart-shaped formations was taken by local photographer Antonietta Henry. Have a great image for Photo Op?
