Freeholders Consent to Lease Morris View

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders last night passed a resolution consenting to the lease of the Morris View Healthcare Center, and authorizing the Morris County Improvement Authority to finalize an agreement with Allaire Healthcare Group of Freehold to lease the facility.

The MCIA expects to conclude negotiations with Allaire in the coming weeks. The private company should take over Morris View operations in the fall.

The tentative contract calls for Allaire to pay the county $2.3 million annually, to lease Morris View, which is a 283-bed county owned and operated nursing home and sub-acute rehabilitation facility located in Morris Township.

The initial proposal submitted by Allaire included providing Morris County $2.7 million per year. During contract negotiations, Morris County’s Proposal Review Committee recommended that staffing and program enhancements at Morris View, which were identified as priorities by residents and family members, be incorporated into the final contract.

The Freeholder Board’s commitment to ensure quality of resident care concurred with these enhancements and reduced the annual lease payment by $400,000, to $2.3 million.

Combined with a reduction in costs to the county to operate Morris View, the $2.3 million annual lease could result in an initial total annual savings to Morris County taxpayers of $4 million to $6 million, and up to $8 million a year by the end of the decade.

However, even with the positive financial outlook, the freeholders stressed again yesterday that a continued high quality of patient care will be essential to the continuation of any lease arrangement. 

“It is important to note that during the lease agreement Morris County will continue to own Morris View and we will closely monitor the quality of care offered by Allaire,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “The health and welfare of the residents at Morris View remains our priority.’’

Meanwhile, in the short term, Allaire will assume management of Morris View starting on July 1. That is when the county’s existing management contract for Morris View with Premier Healthcare expires.

However, during the interim period, and until the lease arrangement with Allaire takes effect in the fall, the county remains ultimately responsible for day-to-day operations and decisions regarding Morris View.

Allaire CEO Ben Kurland

Allaire CEO Ben Kurland and Director of Care Management Brie Gallo briefed the Morris County Freeholders on his company’s current operations and plans for Morris View.

Kurland said Allaire expects to retain most of the current Morris View staff, has already begun a continuing dialogue with patients’ families, will meet quarterly with county officials to review operations, and has begun a dialogue with hospitals and the medical community in Morris County.

In addition, Kurland said Allaire will emphasize continuing education for the staff and administration, with an emphasis on new technology. He also promised an enhanced slate of programs and activities for patients.

“This is their home – it needs to run like a cruise ship for them,’’ Kurland said. “We may not be the county, but we hope to be the best alternative to running Morris View for our residents.’’

Director of Care Management Brie Gallo

In May, with approval of the Freeholders, the MCIA selected Allaire as the company best qualified from eight applicants to lease and run Morris View based on evaluation criteria approved by the State Comptrollers’ Office. Factors considered by the panel, included staffing capabilities, operational practices, quality control, and financial viability.

Allaire previously purchased and is successfully operating the former Monmouth County John L. Montgomery nursing home, a 174-bed facility that had been owned and managed by Monmouth County government.

For more information on Morris View click here. For more information on the Allaire Healthcare Group click here.

 

247 Seniors receive diplomas at Parsippany High School

PARSIPPANY — The Class of 2017 was special for Dr. Denis Mulroony. Dr. Mulroony arrived to Parsippany High School to begin his career as Principal with the incoming freshman class four years ago. This graduating class was with Dr. Mulroony for their entire high school year.

The Class of 2017 Officers were Matthew Michalik, President; Alexandra Tymikiw, Vice President; Zahary Imp, Secretary and Spencer Huang, Treasurer.

The Parsippany High School Class of 2017 consisted of 247 graduates. The graduates in alphabetical order are:

Mathew Acosta
Alissa Delia Afonso
K waku Osei Agyemang
Sania Ahmed
Esra Iman Ahmedi
Sarang Amin
Daniel Arguelles Rojas
Gianna Amanda Arnaldy
Mujtaba M. Aslamy
Harold Guya Atienza
Mar Jan Fernando Atienza
Timur Atabek Ayaz
Rony Antonio Bailey
Elias A. Bakhtiar
Kevin A. Benjamin
Ashley Victoria Deloris Bethune
Nikhiya Binu
Maria Birth
Kyle Steven Braen
Caitlin Josephine Brennan
Cinthia Marie Brown
Spencer Jeffrey Budd
John Michael Burk
Pavlo Busko
Anthony John Caccavale
Courtney Lynn Calabrese
Sean Peter Callaghan
Madison Carden
Emily Amanda Carlos
Alyssa Marie Carriero
Jenna Rose Cecere
Natee Chada
Chania Chambers
Chennelle T. Chambers
Alan S. Chapman
Jielu Chen
Nina Zhow Chen
Will Chen
Catherine Ann Chiarolanza
Ravi Nilesh Chothani
Michael F. Colasuonno
Nicolas Allen Colella
Max Paredes Corbel
Victoria Antoinette Coronel
Jacob William Curley
Adriana Nicole Di Dio
Brandon Carmen Diaz
Brittany Olivia Diefenbach
Victoria Dobkowski
Matthew Emanuel Doyle
Alexis Marie Dressendorfer
Esraa Farag
Ithaley J. Feliz
Alyssa Nicole Feola
Cristina Marie Fernandez
Fernando Jerod Fernandez
Antonieta Ferrou
Fallon Rose Fleitstra
Joshua Thomas Flood
Ryley James Foley
Arielle Fortes
Vijay Ganti
Sammy Yuan Gao
Mariangel Garcia
Kyle Richard Gaydo
Matthew William Gencarelli
Riya H. Gheewala
Stephen Thomas Giercyk
Rosina Assunta Giordano
Nathalia Giraldo
Rebecca Elizabeth Goddard
Philip Jerrard Gohn
Natalie Gongora
Joshua Ari Gonzalez
Oscar Stanley Gonzalez
Victoria Mei Gu
Emily Guzman
Matthew Michael Haeussler
Miki Olivia Hansen
Anthony Randell Hill
Alyssa Rae Hockey
Robert M. Hockey
Ryan Joseph Hoeler
Jennifer Huang
Spencer Huang
Isaiah Nathaniel Hulse-Carr
Joshua J. Hyatt
Crystal lannetta
Michael Anthony Ilic
Zachary Connor Imp
Li-Hsuan Inn
Abulfazel Iqbal
La-Sanya A.M. James
Dylon Kuver Jamna
Julianna Jara
Justin Owen Jennings
Angelica Ji
Brooke Jones
Cassidy Lynn Jordan
Jenkens Watson Josaphat
Michael Kastrunis
Rohan Singh Khajuria
Rebecca Paige Klausner
Jarrett Connor Kuhn
Kenan Abraham Kwaja
Vivian Kwong
Dominique La Capra
Isidra Elena Labady
Priya Bahu Lad
Eric Yunhau Lai
Jasana Lamichhane
Melissa Langdon
Michelle A. Ledezma
Salena Nicole LeDonne
Megan Ashley Leitner
Janivel Leo
Tyler A. Leon
Kevin Leon-Appelgren
Nicole M. Lepore
Joshua Levine
Kiera Alexandra Lewis
Christine Bewin Li
William Lozada
Melisa Lozada-Hernandez
Rebecca Jean Maciag
Purvang Mahadevia
Haider Abdul Malik
Divij Malkani
Likitha Mamillapalli
Pooja Manhas
Teniya S. Manu
Matthew John Marinas
Marta Markowska
Jake Robert Marlowe
Shahina Mashrabi
Emil Ryan Matti
Jennifer Mazo
Brandon Matthew McGrath
Veronica Yrene Mendoza
Thomas John Mercado
Matthew Stephen Michalik
Kavin M. Mistry
Eddie Morales
Toni Ann Moran
Deepika R. Nagabhushan
Alisalimon Naibzada
Dean A. Naranjo
Taylor Madison Newman
Nicholas Ng
Sean M. O’Donnell
Safiye M. Okuyan
James Patrick Tianes Osea
Shamshrita Pandey
Alessandra Stella Pantaleo
Akshat Parmar
Carly Theresa Pasquale
Arun Pasumpadiyar
Reema Patadia
Ohara D. Patel
Ohara S. Patel
Disha D. Patel
Heenal T. Patel
Krutiben Patel
Nidhee Patel
Purva Sureshkumar Patel
Ria Sundeep Patel
Yash J. Patel
Mohit Prakash Pathak
Vincent Anthony Pellicani
Donald T. Pham
Tingting Piao
Antonio Nino Piccininni
Michael Anthony Piccininni
Haley D. Pignatelli
Ilir Pilinci
Shivani R. Pipalia
Kevin Louis Piriano
Bilal Ashraf Potrik
Connor Daniel Preston
Dylan Pucilowski
Hamza Qureshi
Joseph Henry Radler
Priya T. Ranade
Amy Randazzo
Daniela Rengifo Marmolejo
Shereen Riad
Youssef M. T. Riad
Christian Daniel Riedinger
Salman Ali Rizvi
Raquelle Dianna Rocco
Riley Marie Rosa
Benjamin M. Rudolph
Joseph Gerard Ruggiero
Nicole Marie Ruggiero
Mitchell John Ryzuk, Jr.
Mursal Sakhi
N atalye Salazar
Sofia Marie Santana
Grace Marie Santangelo
Deepika Saravana
Somasundaram Saraswathy
Paul James Scalchi
Anthony John Scannelli
Ian Harris Schey
Eric D. Schlosser
Sabarish Selvarajan
Maitri Dhirendra Shah
Hannah Rose Shoshan
Param Bhavesh Shukla
Christina Rose Shultz
Abhinav Sinha
Alexa Nicole Skladany
Abigail Robin Smith
Alexis Marie Smith
Michael Nicholas Sorresse
Brooke Marie Steele
Kyle Alphonso Steele
Asia A. Tabili
Wyatt Tex Tassillo
Ryan A. Torres
Lilian Tran
Kevin Lu Tsai
Alexandra Lila Tymikiw
Jeffrey Joel Umanzor
Bener Deniz Uygun
Mansi Sanjay Vaghela
Ann Marie G. Van Es
Jessica Jo-Ann Vargas
Joan Manuel Vasquez, Jr.
Alberto J. Vega
Morgan Ashley Villopoto
Hetasvi S. Vyas
Rolksar Fatima Wafa
Sarah Nicole Waffenfeld
Zayn Abdul Wahab
Katie A. Walker
Daniel T. Wang
Linzhe Wang
Amir Timothy Watson
Jeffrey Michael Wear
Ryan Edmund Weiss
Victoria Ann Wilhalme
Jackson T. Wolfe
Christina Xu
Katherine Yuwei Yang
Fatima H. Yaqoobi
Sabria Yaqoobi
Lillian Ye
Furkan Yildirim
Sena Z. Yuksel
Katelyn Rose Ziskind

Open House at Vision Loss Alliance Showcases How IPhones/IPads Open Door to Independence

MORRIS COUNTY — IPhones and iPads are empowering people with vision loss, providing them technological tools to more easily manage daily living.

Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey, one of the longest-serving nonprofits for adults with vision loss, will host an open house on Tuesday, July 11 to showcase its 13-week technology program.

The training teaches people how to use their iPhones and iPads to read food labels, organize cash, read emails and letters, download audiobooks and apps, record voice memos, identify color of clothing, and more.

“I feel like I have so much independence because of this phone,” said Vision Loss Alliance participant Ursula Rucki.

The open house, featuring a iPhone/iPad demonstration, will be held 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Vision Loss Alliance’s Denville location, 155 Morris Avenue. The event is free but registration is required. Call (973) 627-0055, ext. 1312 or send an email to programs@vlanj.org to sign up.

Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey, formerly NJ Foundation for the Blind, offers a full continuum of programs that address each stage of adjustment to vision loss in a friendly, supportive environment in Denville. Wellness programs, including yoga, horticultural therapy, Djembe drumming and fitness classes are also offered in Montclair and Ridgewood.

The National Eye Institute estimates that more than 13 million U.S. residents will have some type of vision impairment by 2050.

ABOUT VISION LOSS ALLIANCE OF NEW JERSEY
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) that provides practical training and emotional support to help those who have experienced profound vision loss regain self-esteem and self-reliance. Since its founding in 1943, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey has used a holistic approach to empower those with profound vision loss to live engaged, productive and independent lives. Click here for more information.

Parsippany High School Senior Awards Presentation

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School Senior Awards Assembly was held on Thursday, June 8. Hundreds of Scholarships and Awards were presented to the Graduating Seniors.

PHS holds this annual event held a few weeks before the end of the school year. It is an event to showcase the awards, honors, and scholarships received, colleges/universities the seniors will be attending, and community services performed by the senior student.

During this inspirational evening, many hard-working and talented seniors were honored for outstanding academic and extracurricular performance, and for service to the school and community. The awards were a surprise to the seniors. Recognition was given for a wide variety of scholarships, prizes and commendations awarded to PHS students by the school, local businesses and non-profit groups.

National Merit Finalists Rohan Khajuria
Daniel Wang
National Merit Commended Students Natee Chada
Will Chen
Victoria Gu
Miki Hansen
Spencer Huang
Vivian Kwong
Salman Rizvi
Param Shukla
Abhinav Sinha
Kevin Tsai
Katherine Yang
PHS Top 25 Students Miki Hansen
Katherine Yang
Christina Xu
Ryan Hoeler
Eric Schlosser
Salman Rizvi
Daniel Wang
Param Shukla
Spencer Huang
Rohan Khajuria
Alexandra Tymikiw
Victoria Gu
Raquelle Rocco
Deepika Nagabhushan
Nina Chen
Zachary Imp
Lillian Ye
Sabarish Selvarajan
Deepika Saravana Somasundaram Saraswathy
Sammy Gao
Ravi Chothani
Abhinav Sinha
Likitha Mamillapalli
Jennifer Huang
Rebecca Goddard
PHS Valedictorian Award Miki Hansen
PHS Salutatorian Award Katherine Yang
The Joe Windish Parsippany Education Foundation Scholarship Megan Leitner
Dr. Vincent Aniello Peer Buddy Scholarships Tyler Leon
Nicole Lepore
Josh Levine
Ryan Torres
Jessica Vargas
Ryan Weiss
Hebberd’s Heroes Nathalia Giraldo
Sarah Waffenfeld
George P. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Cristina Fernandez
Tom Ladas Memorial Scholarship Katelyn Ziskind
Parsippany Indian Association Scholarship Param Shukla
The Dr. Frank A. Calabria Memorial Scholarship Matthew Marinas
Patricia Ann Behnke Memorial Scholarship Matthew Marinas
Sunrise Shoprite Continuing Education Grant Cristina Fernandez
John “Cap” Capsouras Memorial Award Dominique La Capra
Police Benevolent Association Scholarship Matthew Marinas
Parsippany Republican Club Scholarship Grace Santangelo
Sons of Italy, Michael Barnhart Memorial Scholarship Michael Colasuonno
Megan Leitner
Thomas Mercado
Samuel Kaplan American Legion Miki Hansen
George Bohr Achievement Award Harold Atienza
Alberto Vega
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Scholarship Jennifer Huang
Miki Hansen
The Kanai Lal and Charu Bala Memorial Miki Hansen
Ryan Hoeler
The Love Like Ashley Memorial Fund Scholarship Matthew Marinas
Montville Unico Kyle Gaydo
Megan Leitner
Troy-Hills Memorial Post #10184 VFW lan Schey
The Valori Family Scholarship Matthew Marinas
Dhara S. Patel
 Stephen S. Martino Memorial Scholarship Kevin Leon-Appelgren
Mitchell Ryzuk
Woman’s Club of Parsippany Scholarship Adriana Di Dio
Dhara S. Patel
Grace Santangelo
Asia Tabili
Alexandra Tymikiw
Lillian Ye
Parsippany-Troy Hills Senior Citizens Scholarship Jennifer Huang
Morris County College Fair Committee Nathalia Giraldo
Antonieta Ferrou
Central Middle School Faculty Scholarship Lilian Tran
Parsippany High School Faculty Scholarship Pooja Manhas
Youssef Riad
Salman Rizvi
The Dora B. Stolfi Memorial Scholarship Alpha Delta Kappa/Mu Chapter Sarah Waffenfeld
 MCPCA Caring Student Award Kyle Gaydo
Project Graduation Slogan & Artwork Michelle Inn
Gard and Anne O’Harra Scholarship Sean Callaghan
Wegmans Scholarship Program Michelle Inn
Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Award Lillian Ye
Student Council Awards Nikhiya Binu
Cristina Fernandez
Rebecca Goddard
Zachary Imp
Rebecca Klausner
Alexis Smith
Michael Sorresse
Alexandra Tymikiw
Jackson Wolfe
Fatima Yaqoobi
Parents of Gifted & Talented Scholarship (PGT) Shubha Kapuganti
Troy Hills School Alumni Scholarship Sarah Waffenfeld
Lake Hiawatha School Alumni Scholarship Grace Santangelo
Northvail School Alumni Scholarship Thomas Mercado
Ryan Weiss
Rockaway Meadow School Alumni Scholarship Nathalia Giraldo
Knollwood-Melvin Roth Memorial Scholarship Victoria Dobkowski
Parsippany-Troy Hills PTSA Cristina Fernandez
Megan Leitner
Matthew Marinas
Thomas Mercado
Param Shukla
Alexandra Tymikiw
Emil Johnson Vocational Scholarship Janivel Leo
Rocco A. Cerbo Memorial Scholarship Joshua Flood
Excellence for School Success Scholarship Alyssa Hockey
Natalye Salazar
Exceptional Ceramic Artist Esra Ahmedi
Cassidy Jordan
Fine Arts Award Courtney Calabrese
Julianna Jara
Outstanding Photographer Marta Markowska
Riley Rosa
Visual Design Award Thomas Mercado
Reema Patadia
 Outstanding Senior English Student Katherine Yang
 Excellence in Journalism Spencer Budd
Senior Drama Award Carly Pasquale
Totem Award Salena LeDonne
Voice in Writing Award Natee Chada
Excellence in Biological Science Katherine Yang
Excellence in Chemistry Miki Hansen
Excellence in Physics  Ryan Heeler
Excellence in Mathematics Ryan Hoeler
Eric Schlosser
Math Team Award Daniel Wang
Math Student of the Year Miki Hansen
High Note Awards Catherine Chiarolanza
Joshua Gonzalez
PHS Choral Parents Association Scholarship Joshua Flood
Raquelle Rocco
PHS Band Boosters Association Scholarship Will Chen
Nicolas Colella
Tess Franchini
Miki Hansen
Mitchell Ryzuk
Alexandra Tymikiw
Katherine Yang
Eddie Jackson Memorial Scholarship Mitchell Ryzuk
Mt. Tabor Outstanding Music Award Nicolas Colella
Civics Award Alberto Vega
Excellence in Writing Award Katherine Yang
“Theodore Roosevelt Award” Outstanding Social Studies Student Raquelle Rocco
Excellence in French Daniel Wang
Excellence in Italian Ryan Hoeler
Excellence in Spanish Christina Xu
Outstanding Physical Education Joshua Flood
Raquelle Rocco
Parsippany Soccer Club Scholarship Maria Birth
Crystal Iannetta
Jackson Wolfe
Par-Troy Little League East Scholarship Caitlin Brennan
Alyssa Feola
Megan Leitner
Joshua Levine
Emil Matt
Connor Preston
Bener Uygun
Sarah Waffenfeld
Ryan Weiss
U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athletics Award Cristina Fernandez
Bener Uygun
U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award Kwaku Agyemang
Lilian Tran
Northwest Jersey Athlete Conference Award Megan Leitner
Eric Schlosser
NJSIAA Scholar Athlete John Burk
 The Michael R. Codella Female/Male MVP Trophy Salena LeDonne
Emil Matti
Morris County Scholar/Athlete Award Michael Ilic
Haley Pignatelli
Red Hawk Awards Kwaku Agyemang
John Burk
Anthony Caccavale
Nicolas Colella
Cristina Fernandez
Spencer Huang
Michael Ilic
Dominique La Capra
Salena LeDonne
Kiera Lewis
Rebecca Maciag
Emil Matti
Haley Pignatelli
Christian Riedinger
Eric Schlosser
Alexis Smith
Lilian Tran
Bener Uygun
Sarah Waffenfeld
Jeffrey Wear

Applications being accepted for 2017 Fall Citizen’s Police Academy

PARSIPPANY — Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Departments announces that applications are now being accepted for the 2017 fall session for our Citizen’s Police Academy.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is a free ten week program held on Thursday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. beginning September 7 to November 9 at the Parsippany Police Headquarters.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is limited to twenty applicants and is available on a first come, first serve basis by completing the application. Applicants should be 18 years of age or older and be a resident of Parsippany. However, they will be allowing Township employees and Parsippany business owners who do not live in town to apply on a limited basis.

The goal is to increase communication and partnership between the citizens and the police through education and discussion in order to establish a safer community. The classes provide an in-depth view into various areas of law enforcement such as criminal investigations, firearms, use of force, officer safety, motor vehicle stops and advancements in technology utilized in law enforcement today. Information is gained through classroom and practical scenarios.

Applications for our Citizen’s Police Academy can be downloaded by clicking here.

Once filled out and signed they can be emailed to Community Relations Officer Remo D’Alessandro at socialmedia@parpolice.com.

For more information or to receive an application by mail, please call Officer D’Alessandro at (973) 263-4383.

Applications will be accepted until August 25, 2017 or until the class is filled.

Note: A minimum attendance of eight classes is required in order to attend graduation.

New Jersey Blood Services Declares Blood Emergency

NORTH JERSEY — New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) and its parent company, New York Blood Center (NYBC) has declared a blood emergency and is asking the public to please find time to donate blood at a NJBS donor center or convenient blood drive to help replenish the community’s blood supply. Recent national tragedies are reminders that it is imperative to always have an adequately stocked blood supply to respond when communities are faced with patient traumas or other events that require life-saving blood products.

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, please call Toll Free 800-933-2566 or click here. 

In order to maintain a safe blood supply a seven-day inventory of all types must be continually replenished. Companies, organizations, and community groups are also encouraged to step up to host a blood drive in July or August to help rebuild the blood supply. Hosting a blood drive is easy and New Jersey Blood Services staff will help you every step of the way.

O negative blood donors are considered “universal,” and their blood type is needed most readily in trauma situations and emergency departments across the country. Due to its high demand, O negative blood is in short supply and NYBC encourages individuals with this blood type to consider stepping forward and donate today. Our local blood supply has reached a critically low level, with under a two-day supply of O negative, B negative, and A negative.

As we head into the summer months, we are reminded of how essential it is that our community maintains steady participation in blood donation. The best preparation for an unpredictable tragedy is having blood on the shelves ready to be transfused.  This is key to saving lives. 

“Spread the word, host your own blood drive and invite family and friends or find a local blood drive and donate.  Your immediate action will save lives!” said Andrea Cefarelli, Executive Director of New York Blood Center. Cefarelli adds, “We are in dire need of O negative blood with a reserve that is currently below a two day supply, and that is just too low.”

Summer months are marked by long vacation periods with schools in recess and  vacation time but the need for blood never takes a takes a break. NJBS urges individuals to seek out blood donation centers and engage in the selfless act of giving blood. 

About Blood Donations
The entire donation process takes less than an hour and a single donation can be used to save multiple lives. Donors with O-negative blood type, or “universal donors,” are especially encouraged to donate, as their blood can be used in emergencies. Nearly 2,000 donations are needed each day in New York and New Jersey alone. About one in seven hospital admissions requires a blood transfusion, and with a limited shelf life, supplies must be continually replenished.

If you cannot donate but still wish to participate in bringing crucial blood products to patients in need, please ask someone to donate for you, or consider volunteering at a local blood drive.

Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, blood pressure and hematocrit level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (parental consent is required for 16-year-olds), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People age 76 or older may donate if they have a doctor’s note on file with New York Blood Center or if they bring one on the day of the blood drive.

Gourmet Cafe Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

PARSIPPANY — “It has been a lifelong goal to own and operate my own restaurant,” said Matt Pierone.  The dream came true on June 7, 2007 when, with the blessing of his wife Rosemary, he purchased the Gourmet Café. At that time, the restaurant had already been in operation for fifteen years. While Matt retained the name, he made the restaurant his own.

“Many people ask about my background so I thought I would share some of my story. I began washing dishes at the Cobblestone in West Caldwell, cooked at the Huddle Inn in Fairfield, and Columbo’s in Orange. I graduated from The New York Restaurant School in Manhattan with highest honors. While attending school, I worked at Gracie Mansion. The Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange was my next stop. At the Rainbow Room in New York City, I was the Poissonnier (Fish Chef),” said Matt.

He also worked as Executive Chef at the Racquets Club of Short Hills, Chef de Cuisine at Eccola Italian Bistro, Saucier at Rod’s Steak House, Chef at the Green House & Sous Chef at the Grande Café, Morristown.

“While it was great to work at such quality establishments, perhaps more important was my upbringing. Everyone who entered our home was greeted warmly and offered food and drink. This tradition of hospitality continues…” said Matt.

Matt is proud to offer high quality food at a reasonable price in a friendly Bistro setting.

Patrick Minutillo said “I’m proud to say that I stopped in at the Gourmet Cafe the first week Matt opened ten years ago and was so impressed, I’ve been coming back as a regular ever since.”

Chef Matthew Pierone has the reputation of being both humble and kind, a beloved and attentive chef-owner. Gourmet Cafe has served creative Italian food to loyal customers since 2007. He graduated from The New York Restaurant School. “He says owning his own place has been a dream come true. The Gourmet Cafe is hidden in a strip mall. Fans love the BYOB, warm, casual atmosphere – and of course the fantastic food, served for very reasonable prices,” said Pierone. The Gourmet Cafe is touted as one of the best values in Parsippany, which is why they are almost always booked solid.

The Gourmet Cafe is located at 136 Baldwin Road. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday for Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for Dinner from5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Saturday afternoons and Sundays are available for parties.

Since May of 2008, Matthew Pierone has made it a priority to utilize his restaurant as a way to raise money for many local non-profit organizations. Prior to opening the restaurant, Matt had always been personally involved with charity donations so he wanted his business to do the same. With the belief that as a part of the community it is necessary to help give back to those in need, “Make a Difference Mondays” donates 10% of the day’s sales to a designated non-profit organization. Matt’s generosity applies to all sales for lunch, dinner, take-out, and even gift certificates purchased that day. To date Matt has donated over $70,000 to non-profit organizations.

Gourmet Cafe is a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information click here.

Two Parsippany residents Graduate from Ohio State University

Michelle Marie Allen

PARSIPPANY — The Ohio State University has issued the list of students who earned degrees at commencement exercises on May 7, 2017. The university awarded a record 11,734 degrees at the ceremony, including 279 doctoral, 782 professional, 1,849 masters, 8,196 bachelors, 625 associates and three certificates.

Michelle Marie Allen graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Spanish, Magna Cum Laude. She is also a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, Class of 2013.

Jordan Alexandra Ginsberg graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Cum Laude. She is also a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, Class of 2013.

Michelle Marie Allen

The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State or OSU, is a large, primarily residential, public university in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and ninth university in Ohio with the Morrill Act of 1862, the university was originally known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College (Mech).

The college began with a focus on training students in various agricultural and mechanical disciplines but was developed into a comprehensive university under the direction of then Governor (later, President) Rutherford B. Hayes, and in 1878 the Ohio General Assembly passed a law changing the name to “The Ohio State University”. It has since grown into the third-largest university campus in the United States. Along with its main campus in Columbus, Ohio State also operates a regional campus system with regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and Wooster.

Jordan Alexandra Ginsberg

The university has an extensive student life program, with over 1,000 student organizations; intercollegiate, club and recreational sports programs; student media organizations and publications, fraternities and sororities; and three student governments. Ohio State athletic teams compete in Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision for football) of the NCAA and are known as the Ohio State Buckeyes. Athletes from Ohio State have won 100 Olympic medals (44 gold, 35 silver, and 21 bronze).

The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference for the majority of sports. The Ohio State men’s ice hockey program competes in the Big Ten Conference, while its women’s hockey program competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

In addition, the OSU men’s volleyball team is a member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA). OSU is one of only 14 universities that plays Division I FBS football and Division I ice hockey.

Noah Andrew Munn earns “Eagle Scout”

Noah Andrew Munn

PARSIPPANY — Noah Munn of Troop 173 had his Eagle Court of Honor on June 24, 2017, which completed his long trail to Eagle Scout.

The pathway to Eagle can be described as a steep trail leading up to three peaks, the highest being that of Eagle Scout. Officially, the trail starts with the Tenderfoot rank and continues through Second and First Class ranks. Then, the mountain climbing begins. The path is marked with merit badges, leadership responsibilities, service projects, and the practice of Scouting skills and ideals. The first peak reached is that of Star Scout, the second is Life Scout, and, finally, Eagle Scout.

The Eagle Scout Award is Scouting’s highest rank and among its most familiar icons. Men who have earned it count it among their most treasured possessions. Those who missed it by a whisker remember exactly which requirement they didn’t complete. Americans from all walks of life know that being an Eagle Scout is a great honor. The award is more than a badge. It’s a state of being. The Eagle Scout may have received the badge as a boy, but you earn it every day as a man. In the words of the Eagle Scout Promise, they do your best each day to make their training and example, their rank and their influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship in the troop, in their community, and in their contacts with other people. And to this they pledge their sacred honor.

Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men. Only 4% of the Boy Scouts actually earn this rank.

Noah began his Scouting experience in Cub Scout Pack 5 in 2005. He earned the Arrow of Light award and joined Troop 173 in 2010. He quickly advanced to First Class rank with the guidance of Scoutmasters Ken Galley, John Worthington, and Les Wu.

Noah progressed in leadership responsibility with the troop having served as Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s honor society.

He has earned several awards including: the Complete Angler Award in recognition of well-rounded fishing endeavors, the World Conservation Award, and the National Outdoor Award for Camping with silver and gold devices in recognition for knowledge and experience in camping, and camping 130 nights. In addition, he has accumulated over 119 Scouting-related service hours.

Noah has benefited from excellent training experiences with Woodsman Thong in 2012 and National Youth Leadership Training in 2013. At age 14, Noah became a Counselor in Training at Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation, and worked as a Den Leader/Camp Counselor at Camp Wheeler the following summer.

In 2013, Noah participated in the first National Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. With over 30,000 in attendance, it was a monumental, memorable and muddy experience.

Eagle Scout Project

For his Eagle Scout Service Project Noah planned, built and installed 10 bat houses in the Mount Tabor community, combining his passion for animals and his desire to have a positive impact on his own neighborhood by providing habitat for the endangered bat species in our area, bolstering the health of the local ecosystem and reducing the mosquito population.

With the overwhelming support of the community, he was able to fully fund his project and build an additional five bat houses to donate to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey along with $100 from excess funds. Noah led 22 volunteer who worked over 120 hours to complete this project. Noah is a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. He was an altar server for eight years, and is a member of the youth group with whom he has annually worked to serve Thanksgiving meals in the Dover Soup Kitchen, and worked numerous fund raisers for youth group trips and the national youth gathering.

Noah has been active in Mount Tabor community events his whole life. First as a young participant and evolving over the years to be an active volunteer for Easter egg hunts, Christmas carols, and Tabernacle concerts. For over ten years he has volunteered for the Mount Tabor Historical Society’s annual historic House Tour as a costumed docent. He also assists at the Society’s Richardson History House museum.

A huge community event in Mount Tabor is Children’s Day. This tradition started out as a simple parade 148 years ago, but is now a full weekend celebration of the children and a much anticipated annual event. Noah has been active in Mount Tabor Children’s Day since he was five months old. As a volunteer he has helped with the Fun Run, setting up the midway, midway games, bake sales, and car washes. In 2014 he was an attendant in the Royal Court, and in 2015 he was honored to be elected by the children to be the Mount Tabor Children’s Day King. Noah is a graduate of the Morris County School of Technology in the Veterinary Science Academy where he has participated in the robotics club. In the Fall he plans to attend Elizabethtown College and major in biotechnology.

In the world of sports he recently spent a year exploring the challenges of sabre fencing. He is proud to have earned his black belt in Taekwondo.

Over the last year Noah has volunteered 160 hours at Rizzo’s Wildlife World in Flanders as a self-directed animal care-giver and improving habitat management as an intern. Earning 46 merit badges (and 8 partials!) has allowed him to explore a wide range of interests, and by serving in positions of responsibility, he has learned how to be a leader. One of the things he appreciates most about Scouting is that it helped nurture his love of science and the natural world and fed his desire to pursue a career in the sciences.

Noah’s years in Scouting have instilled an invaluable foundation of outdoor skills, leadership and community service. Thanks to all who guided and encouraged him on his 12-year-trail to Eagle.

Boy Scouts of America Troop 173 Eagle Scout Honor Roll includes Norman Schofield, Jr., Michael Gottschalk, James Searing, Geoffrey Brown, John Chervenak, Guy Corbett, Tim Corbett, Robert Burney, Juan Correa, Richard Lauber, Tim Roche,,Christopher Callahan, Thomas Cook, Stephen Corcoran, Stephan Pirylis, Brian Stewart, Patrick Roche, Edward Chiorazzi, Brian Pomarlen, Simon Healey, Keith Henderlong, David Chezem, Alex Lin, Robert Strechay, Jr., John Oleske, Daniel Strechay, Joseph Strechay, Kevin Smithers, Joseph Stevens, James Ward, Jason Viglione, Michael DeGuarde, Michael Smith, Tim Foster, Christopher Malcolm, Mark Viglione, Gary Hwang, William Barcliffe, IV, Jonathan Cook, Daniel Aguanno, Anthony Valvano, Eric Kratz, David Kratz, Thomas Corigliano, David Kinskey-Lebeda, Ryan Diggle, Mike Fulton, Dan Fulton, Brian Galley, Shane Moravsik, Paul Rossnagel, Jesse Garbarino, Shay Grabinsky, Joseph Stretavski, Brendan Barwick, Eric Galley, Bobby Ebel, Sean Michie, Michael Ludwig, Matthew Luther, Chris Gardner, Chris Worthington, Cameron Boone, Daniel Metcalf, Rishi Konkesa and Noah Munn.

 

RACES participating in a 24 Hour National Emergency Radio Drill

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Office of Emergency Management Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (R.A.C.E.S.) volunteers is participating in the National Emergency Communications Field Day Exercise which started on Saturday, June 24 and will end at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 25.

The massive antenna’s were set up for this Communications Field Day Exercise
Alan Machbitz at the communications station in Veterans Park

The objective of the event is to challenge licensed Amateur “Ham” Radio operators across North America to set up an emergency communications station, and operate their radios for a continuous 24 hour period, rain or shine.

In the event of a large scale disaster, Amateur Radio can be the only form of reliable communications out of a disaster zone. This event provides an opportunity for Hams to practice their skills in emergency communications.

The unofficial motto of the Amateur Radio service is “When all else fails.”. Tens of thousands of Ham Radio operators throughout the country participate in this annual event. Last year the Parsippany RACES team spoke to over 650 participating radio stations across North America, including Hawaii and Alaska.

The Parsippany OEM RACES team set up their emergency communications station at the Veterans Field Gazebo on Route 46, and started operating their station at 2:00 p.m. Saturday and will continue until 2:00 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited to stop by and observe our efforts.

For additional information contact Eric Hubner by clicking here.

Parsippany OEM vehicle is also equipped with radio equipment to use in emergencies