September 11th National Memorial Trail Makes its Mark in Morris County

Frank L. Cahill
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September 11th National Memorial Trail Makes its Mark in Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY — The unveiling of the first trail blazes on the new September 11th National Memorial Trail, a 1,300-mile tribute to first responders and victims of the 9/11 attacks on our nation, was held over the weekend in Morris County, which lost 63 residents in the 2001 attacks.

Officials of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance, in conjunction with the Morris County Park Commission, held a ceremony in Randolph to show off the new blazes on a section of Morris County’s Patriot’s Path, which serves as part of the route of the national trail.

Scene at 9-11 Trail blaze unveiling in Randolph

Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana, Park Commission President Betty Cass-Schmidt, Randolph Mayor Christine Carey, and Sheriff James Gannon were among the dignitaries who participated in the event.

“Our vision for both this alliance and the memorial trail is to unite fellow Americans, trail enthusiasts, organizations, and the families of those lost in the attacks, and work together to make this a reality,” said Andy Hamilton, President of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance.

“The trail is shaped as a triangle to forever connect these locations, and serves as a symbol of resiliency and character,” said David Brickley, Founder and President Emeritus of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance.

Beginning in 2004, the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance was formed to establish a memorial trail that links both the planned and existing memorial sites dedicated to September 11th, including the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93 Memorial. The board currently consists of 12 members, each with their own unique tie to the cause.

In addition to linking the three national memorials, the continuous trail also passes through over 50 landmarks such as the Eastern Continental Divide, Delaware Water Gap, and Morristown National Historical Park, and is accessible to automobiles, hikers, and bikers.

“Morris County is proud to have the honor of unveiling the first blazes on this national trail that honors all of those who perished on September 11, 2001, and those who bravely responded to the attacks,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.

“We thank those who have put in incredible amounts of time and effort into making this trail not only something for people to enjoy, but also to continue to recognize the people and families impacted by the event,” said Dave Helmer, Executive Director of Morris County Park Commission.

Helmer attributed the Morris County’s prominent role in this initiative to the efforts of Russ Nee, Assistant Superintendent of Trails & Special Projects for the Park Commission, who serves on the board of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance.

The September 11th Trail (Click here to see the map) runs through parts of New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. It employs existing trails, such as the Liberty Water Gap Trail, Patriots’ Path, and the Highlands Trail, and includes some areas specifically carved out for September 11th Trail.

For more information on the September 11th National Memorial Trail click here.

Pointers for New Entrepreneurs

Frank L. Cahill
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Pointers for New Entrepreneurs
Gemma Reeves

By Gemma Reeves

In starting a business, it always pays to have a knack of knowing how much to charge for your services that can draw customers and gain more profit.

However, for beginner entrepreneurs, this can be a daunting task.

Knowing how to price requires practice, and the more you learn, the more confident you can be in knowing that your price is just right.

PRICE = COSTS + PROFIT

The equation above may seem easy at first glance. But pricing your services need a lot of thought and consideration. So let’s begin by defining those keywords: Price, Costs, and Profit. Price is the amount of money needed to purchase a good or service. While cost refers to the value of your effort, risks, time, materials, and utilities used to produce and deliver a service. All expenses made in the production are considered as costs, though not all costs made can be expenses. Once a sale is made, the amount of money earned minus the costs for providing the service is your profit.

Do your research

It is always best to start by learning how marketable your services can be. Study the pricing trend of those who sell the same services as you and learn the price range of their services. Evaluate yourself and see how well you can provide your service in comparison and you can have an idea where your price should fall on the scale. Discounts are usually effective in drawing in customers by making them think that they have gained more. However, this can backfire in the long run as consumers will then question the quality of your service for such a low price. Overcharging can also put off customers, especially if there is no significant difference in the quality of your service from that of your competitor. Undercharging will make you lose profit and might push you to lower your quality just to break even. Make sure you balance your price with the quality of service you can offer.

Compute your costs

Remember that your costs cover ALL the expenses needed in the production of your services. This would include but not be limited to the labor costs for your employees, the utilities used, the office rental, the transportation, and the materials and resources consumed in production.

Determine the profit margin

Now that the costs have been determined, you can decide how much you want to profit from your services. The profit margin is the percentage of your costs that you would want to earn. This is where your research comes in. By having a gauge on the price for a similar service from your competitors, you have an idea how much your profit margin should be.

Know your price

With your cost computation and your profit margin, you can now determine how much you should price your services. Get the profit first by getting the percentage of your profit margin from your cost. Then add that amount to your cost, and you get the price. An example would be: if your costs total to 500, and you decide on a profit margin of 25%, then your expected profit would be 125. Add that to your costs, the price of your services would be 625.

When to adjust your price

There is never a fixed price for any product or service. The variables are constantly changing and it would not be wise to fix your pricing based only on your computation. You need to study the trends and change your price accordingly. Here are some tips when adjusting your pricing:

1. Raise your price in small increments and do it discreetly. This is so your customers will barely notice the change and will continue to avail your services. When you are offering a range of services, you can do this by increasing the price of one service, and not go overboard by changing the price list for everything you offer.

2. Make your price competitive. If your competitors’ prices have gone up, this is a good indicator that you should too. This means that there is a demand for your services and this demand can easily sustain the increase. If you price yourself too low and your customers are calling your services a bargain, then that is also a sign that you need to consider an increase. Remember that there are pitfalls to undercharging your services. This can greatly affect the quality of what you have to offer.

Gemma Reeves is a seasoned writer who enjoys creating helpful articles and interesting stories. She has worked with several clients across different industries such as advertising, online marketing, technology, healthcare, family matters, and more. She is also an aspiring entrepreneur who is engaged in assisting other aspiring entrepreneurs in finding the best office space for their business.

Check out her company here: FindMyWorkspace

Parsippany Teacher Completes 5k for Cancer Research

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Teacher Completes 5k for Cancer Research

PARSIPPANY — Tracy Carroll, Parsippany teacher, led a team of 35 family and friends to complete the annual Runyon 5k at Yankee Stadium for cancer research. This is the 8th year Team Rhino participated in the 5k. 

Parsippany teachers Meghan Proto, MaryEllen Iradi, Tracy Carroll, Kelli Costa, Heather Craner, Natalie Marano, and Vicki Mastrangelo

Joined by several of her Parsippany colleagues, Carroll’s team, Team Rhino, raised $1,817 including a generous donation from the Eastlake School staff. This brings Team Rhino’s fundraising total to $20,830 since they began participating in the 5k.

The event raises money for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation to fund the research being performed by scientists in how to best prevent, diagnose, and treat all forms of cancer. Carroll became involved in the event in 2010 shortly after losing her dad to esophageal cancer. “Not only do I love that 100% of the money raised goes directly to cancer research, but I can’t say enough wonderful things about the incredible people at Damon Runyon who organize the event. It is such a terrific day for everyone who participates,” Carroll explains.

So far this year’s event has raised a total of $302,785 for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Donations are still being accepted until August 11 by clicking here.

Carroll’s niece celebrating the team’s accomplishment
Team Rhino’s tribute slide on the Yankee Stadium Jumbotron

The Keys to Housing Program Objectives Serve a Spectrum of Needs on the Path to Self-Sufficiency

Frank L. Cahill
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The Keys to Housing Program Objectives Serve a Spectrum of Needs on the Path to Self-Sufficiency

MORRIS COUNTY — Family Promise of Morris County (FPMC), a social service provider assisting Morris County neighbors in a situation of homelessness has launched their “Keys to Housing Program” Campaign.

The agency was awarded new permanent housing vouchers from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) which covers the cost of rent for 15 prospective tenants but not the initial one-time costs of $3,000+ for additional expenses.

The tenants may need any or all of the following:  Realtor fees, Moving cost, Storage, Clean up / Set up, Inspections / compliance, Apartment Repairs, Transportation, Furniture and household items, Case Management and Housing Stabilization. This unique Morris County Program implements the strategy of employing a Housing Resource Program Coordinator and  Licensed Social Workers to help families and individuals build a sustainable community by addressing job training, employment, financial literacy, physical and mental health, child care, legal issues and obtain safe, affordable, permanent housing.

“We are prioritizing the immediate need of stable housing as it is a critical milestone in achieving the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency. We help locate, obtain, and retain permanent housing for our families and individuals and act as a liaison between clients and landlords to make safe, affordable housing a win-win situation for tenants and landlords.” said Executive Director Joann Bjornson, LSW.

The Goal Is To Raise $60k To House Up To 15 Families With Your Assistance.

This request is TIME SENSITIVE as Family Promise has families ready to be housed and their vouchers expire by September 30, 2017. A match opportunity through Help Us Move In (HUMI) will match donations, bringing families even closer to having a home.

Click here to be a part of the solution.

FPMC is a non-sectarian, not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending the crisis of homelessness faced by Morris County families by partnering with other public and private agencies, religious congregations and community volunteers to provide shelter, case management and mentoring services leading to self-sufficiency. FPMC is a tax-exempt 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. To learn more, contact: Dominique Tornabe, Director of Development & Community Relations, d.tornabe@familypromisemorris.org or (973) 998-0820 ext. 107.

 

Jean Marie Marsicovete Named to Dean’s List

Frank L. Cahill
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Jean Marie Marsicovete Named to Dean’s List

PARSIPPANY — Jean Marie Marsicovete, a 2013 graduate of Parsippany High School, has been named to the Spring 2017 Dean’s List at Kutztown University.

More than 1,660 students have been named to the list. To be eligible for Dean’s List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia. As the region’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery. KU students select from more than 100 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 21 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery. For more information, please visit us at www.kutztown.edu.

Roger Williams University Announces Spring 2017 Dean’s List

Frank L. Cahill
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0
Roger Williams University Announces Spring 2017 Dean’s List

PARSIPPANY — Select students have been named to the Spring 2017 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester.

Nick Gaudio

Nicholas Gaudio, a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, Class of 2014, currently majoring in Engineering.

Lauren Calabrese, is a graduate of Parsippany High School, Class of 2015, currently majoring in Creative Writing.

With campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island, Roger Williams University is a forward-thinking private university committed to strengthening society through engaged teaching and learning.

At RWU, small classes, direct access to faculty and guaranteed opportunity for real-world projects ensure that its nearly 4,000 undergraduates – along with hundreds of law students, graduate students and adult learners – graduate with the ability to think critically along with the practical skills that today’s employers demand.

Roger Williams is leading the way in American higher education, confronting the most pressing issues facing students and families – increasing costs, rising debt and job readiness.

Local Teen Picked for Prestigious Ranger Training School

Frank L. Cahill
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Local Teen Picked for Prestigious Ranger Training School

MORRIS COUNTY — Seventeen year old Mountain Lakes High School student Sloane Liput, who will be a senior next year and hopes to attend West Point, was chosen to attend the prestigious Hawk Mountain Ranger Training School in Kempton, Pennsylvania.  Ms. Liput is a member of the Picatinny Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary where she holds the rank of Cadet Master Sergeant.

Hawk Mountain Ranger School is the longest running Search & Rescue School in the nation.  For over 60 years, the school has provided some of the best wilderness SAR training throughout the country.  Courses include leadership training, compass and map reading, shelter construction, basic first aid, inland search and rescue, wilderness survival, and rigorous physical obstacle course exercises.  To be qualified for the school an applicant must meet strict requirements that include physical conditioning and specialized classroom and practical skills. This year 140 teenagers from across the United States are participating in the nine day course.

The Picatinny Composite Squadron NJ-093 of the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the nation’s official United States Air Force Auxiliary, celebrates 45 years of service this year.

During the past 45 years the New Jersey Squadron has helped locate lost hikers, tracked down and recovered missing planes, ferried sick children for specialized hospital treatment, and trained hundreds of young men and women in military customs and courtesies, powered and glider flight, aerospace history and the basics of flight, emergency services, and search and rescue.

Like its predecessors, today’s Picatinny Squadron is providing young people with the opportunity to experience flying, receive STEM training in aerospace, cyber-security, and scientific  advancements, as well as supporting the community in Northern New Jersey with search and rescue and emergency service preparedness.

The national organization of Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP has 58,000 adult and youth members nationwide, and maintains more than 500 aircraft throughout the country. In 2014, Congress awarded CAP members who served during World War II with a Congressional Gold Medal recognizing their contributions towards the war effort stateside.

The Picatinny Composite Squadron is part of the CAP Northeast Region, New Jersey Wing. Its members are comprised of adults as well as teens from 13-17 from Morris, Warren and Sussex Counties. The group meets every Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  For more information click here or click here.

Mount Tabor to Crown King and Queen on August 4th

Frank L. Cahill
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Mount Tabor to Crown King and Queen on August 4th

PARSIPPANY — In keeping with a longtime community tradition, a new king and queen will be crowned in Mount Tabor on Friday, August 4 at 7:00 p.m. to kick off Children’s Day weekend.

The community of Mount Tabor will celebrate its elected royal court and crown the King and Queen of Children’s Day the evening of Friday, August 4. The 148th annual coronation is held in the historic Tabernacle, where afterwards the children of Mount Tabor perform a show for their new royalty. Later that evening a tour through the cozy town affords an opportunity to view elaborate house decorations, many of which will reflect this year’s theme of “Tabor Toons” (or “Tunes.”) Other homes may display more traditional lights and lanterns.

The 2017 queen is Hannah Stroh, who will be a sophomore at Parsippany Hills High School. Hannah enjoys playing the clarinet and bassoon, and is a member of the PHHS Marching Band.

This year’s king is Joseph Wentworth, also a PHHS sophomore this fall. Joseph plays drums and the trombone, and enjoys swimming and travel.

First attendant Gianna Musto plays volleyball and enjoys time with friends and her cats. She will be a sophomore at the Hills this fall.

First attendant Jeremy Aguesseau is a First Class Scout in Boy Scout Troop 173 and runs track and cross-country for Parsippany Hills High School, where he will be a sophomore this fall. He also enjoys cooking and camping.

The Queen’s second attendants are Victoria Huss and Kimberly Love. The rising junior of the group, Victoria plays basketball and softball, and enjoys shopping, swimming, fishing and cooking. Kimberly plays the violin, viola and French horn and also enjoys writing. She, too, starts her sophomore year at the Hills in September.

2016’s King and Queen, Liam Andersen and Teagan Wittig, will bestow the crowns at the coronation.

Each year the community of Mount Tabor celebrates the tradition of Children’s Day that began nearly 150 years ago as a simple Sunday school parade. This special event now brings all generations together and fosters a strong sense of community, treasured by all who live in Mount Tabor.

Through the streets of the historic district on Saturday, August 5, the royal court will lead a parade which features marching bands, community groups, costumes, decorated bicycles and wagons, maypoles and an array of creatively designed, people-powered floats. An afternoon midway offers food, games and children’s activities, and an evening concert – traditionally sponsored by the Wentworth family – provides entertainment for the families of Mount Tabor and their guests. The weekend concludes with a non-denominational worship service Sunday morning.

MADD Honors Local Law Enforcement During its Annual Awards Ceremony

Frank L. Cahill
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MADD Honors Local Law Enforcement During its Annual Awards Ceremony

MORRIS COUNTY — Numerous police officers throughout New Jersey received awards for exemplary duty and the sincere appreciation from representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving of New Jersey and The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. These awards were issued for performing above and beyond their call of duty to stop drunk drivers on New Jersey roads. The theme of the event was “Saving Lives by Preventing Crashes.”  In addition to the individual awards given out, the audience also had the opportunity to hear speeches from victim advocates, who also praised the efforts by these officers.  Numerous County Prosecutors, Police Executives and Chiefs, and Police Officers were in attendance from all 21 Counties.

The ceremony, held at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, honored 46 police officers from 30 different Morris County municipalities.  Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp had the opportunity to address the audience concerning the achievements of the Morris County Law Enforcement community for their efforts to combat the continued problem of drunk and drugged driving.

Prosecutor Knapp said, “I applaud the efforts by these Morris County Police Officers who recognize the hazards that intoxicated drivers create on our roadways.  They have individually turned this recognition into action with their diligence in enforcing the Driving While Intoxicated laws, thus making it safer for the motoring public, bicyclists and pedestrians alike.”

Investors Bank gives Lakeland Hills YMCA a $5,000 donation

Frank L. Cahill
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Investors Bank gives Lakeland Hills YMCA a $5,000 donation

MOUNTAIN LAKES — The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA recently received a $5,000 gift from Investors Bank, a long-standing supporter of the Y, to help support the Y’s summer camp program.

Shown with some campers, from left to right, are Vik Joganow, CEO of the Y, and Brendan Gross, Branch Manager of Investors Bank, Roxbury Branch, and Omari S. Frazieer, Vice President, Senior Retail Market Manager, Livingston Branch. Vik Joganow adds, “The Y is extremely grateful for the Investors Bank contribution to the Y.

Their support allows local youngsters to take full advantage of summer camp at the Y regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is located at 300 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes.

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