MORRIS COUNTY — An official swearing-in ceremony presided by Sheriff James M. Gannon saw the new officers take their oath of office, receive their Office identification, and were presented with their commissions of service to the people of Morris County.
Four Sheriff’s officers were sworn in during the ceremony: Officer Benjamin Carroll, Officer Dakota Palmer, Officer Evan Ruggiero, and Officer Nicholas Williams. Also sworn in were three Sheriff’s Investigators. They were Investigator Gunner Nunn, Investigator Ryan Wood, and Investigator Sean Rice.
Sheriff Gannon welcomed all in attendance and congratulated the seven for successfully completing their basic police academy training. He also highlighted the extensive number of supporting law enforcement and community service roles the Sheriff’s Office provides to the people of Morris County. The Sheriff illustrated how this translates to an abundance of opportunities for the newly sworn officers and investigators as they work hard in their new assignments.
The attributes of the new group included military service, volunteer emergency service, various levels of higher education, community service, and experience in other civil service employment. A few of the officers had legacy ties to law enforcement. Sheriff Gannon mentioned how special this family connection is to the “family” of law enforcement professionals. All of the sworn officers and investigators are excited to embark on their new careers.
PARSIPPANY — Accelerant Sales Group team are Par-Troy Little League Champions, winning 12-2 against Sons of Italy.
3rd row: Coach Brosnan, Coach Ramani, Patrick Donaldson, Neil Bhatt, Robert Frei, and Coach Jack Picado. 2nd row: Patrick Brosnan, Shriraj Ramani, Christopher Roman, Darius Pars, Damon Silva, and Coach Carlos Picado; 1st row Carter Silva, Christian Bouman, and Alex Matacotta.
Accelerant Sales Group is a local business and supports youth sports in Parsippany and Morris Plains
MORRIS COUNTY — Paul DeGroot, the bold, tough-as-nails former Passaic County prosecutor, won a clear victory in the Republican Party primary, securing him the nomination to litigate the failed record of his Democrat incumbent opponent, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, M-Montclair.
“Mikie isn’t just some fun-loving liberal with a big heart who is generous with other people’s money; she is the Biden/Pelosi ever-faithful vote in Congress,” stated Republican Paul DeGroot. “She backed failed pandemic policies that put people’s lives at risk, jeopardized people’s livelihoods, and even fomented violence and lawlessness with her policies.”
“Real lives are on the line in our country. Livelihoods are at stake. It isn’t politics as usual or Sunday morning talk show bickering from the chattering class that will solve our issues. Mikie Sherrill votes with Nancy Pelosi 99% of the time – that means she’s 100% against New Jersey families.”
“I will be an independent conservative voice for the 11th District. I will work to make our communities safe, put an end to the Biden/Pelosi/Sherrill economic turmoil and inflation, and get our New Jersey families back to work. Mikie Sherrill stands with Biden and Pelosi, but I’ll stand with the hard-working New Jerseyans who have been left behind by this Administration’s failed agenda.”
“The campaign’s success through the primary was made possible by my supportive family, dedicated volunteers, and contributors. We have the momentum and Republican party unity behind us to get our country moving in the right direction.”
PARSIPPANY — Timothy Berrios, the owner of On-Call Computer Services, LLC, is putting some last-minute touches on the “Lunch and Learn” presentation for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library System and Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce entitled “Computer Chaos: Keeping Calm While Living in a Digital Age.”
Whether you are tech-savvy or still use carrier pigeons, there is something for you to learn!
We hope you will join this free event on Wednesday, June 15 at 12:00 p.m. at the Parsippany Library, 449 Halsey Road.
PARSIPPANY — Lake Parsippany Book Club members unveiled ‘Ilene’s Sharing Library’ on Lakeshore Drive near Hoffman Beach. Ilene Sanford was a very special person. So the club wanted to create something meaningful in her memory.
About 18 years ago a book club was formed in Lake Parsippany. At open houses, they had a little table with a clipboard sign-up sheet and a little invitation that said ‘Ask Us About Book Club.’ Ilene was drawn to that word – BOOK. Ilene loved books and enthusiastically signed up!
“The funny thing was, she acquired all the books. They met once a month for 18 years: that’s quite a few books. BUT…she rarely had time to actually READ a book,” said book club member Christie Hegyi-Gardner.
Michael Sanford places a book in ‘Ilene’s Sharing Library’ Photo by Daniel Gardner
Ilene was BUSY! how could she? She was one busy lady. She was the wife of Bob, mother to sons Paul & Michael. She was also a daughter, sister, and friend. She worked full-time at Pearson, a publishing house (note the theme of books).
She always volunteers and helps with all sorts of local events at Eastlake Elementary School, Brooklawn Junior High, and Parsippany Hills High School, where her two sons attended. She attended many Tricky Trays to support local causes. And of course, buying books! She was Busy!
Although not much time to read, she rarely missed a book club gathering. And she usually brought a Diet Pepsi and donuts to share with the group.
She found the time, found a way, even when it became quite a bit harder. She was there. She showed up. Books bring people together.
When the book club was thinking of a way to honor Ilene’s memory, they had a lot of great ideas. They knew it had to involve books – so when they landed on the little library idea, it was a start, but there were still many questions:
What style? What type of material? how big? how to build it? who can build it? Location? Who can access it? How will they pay for it? How do they maintain it?
Dream vs. reality on projects play a big part and as they questioned and discussed the ideas, one of the latest members Meg (who had never met Ilene and only joined recently) happened to hear the idea. She mentioned her friend Marissa was involved with a girl scout troop – Troop 97442 – and they were likely willing to do a project. Bingo! Wonderful!
“The way this all fell into place felt as if it was meant to be. This lake community is special and can come together to do extraordinary things,” said Christie.
Thanks to the wonderful people in the book club for the ideas and enthusiasm.
Thanks to the Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association and Pulkit for support.
Thank you to the Ladies Club for providing funds.
Girl Scout Troop 97442 built ‘Ilene’s Sharing Library’ Photo by Daniel Gardner
Huge Thanks to Troop 97442 for assembling and painting this gift to the community.
To the adult ‘assistants’ Marissa and Craig May, Meg and Joe Mautone, a heartfelt Thank You.
Very special gratitude to Ilene’s family for sharing her wonderful book collection with Lake Parsippany.
Members joined in the unveiling of ‘Ilene’s Sharing Library’.’ Photo by Daniel Gardner
We hope that people walk by Ilene’s Sharing Library and that a book sparks their interest and then pass it on and continue to share over and over. No need to bring the book back. Ilene’s Family and the LPPOA Book Club plan to keep the library stocked.
Continue to share Ilene’s love of books. Ilene would very much approve.
Rest In Peace Ilene Sanford July 19, 1961, to November 2, 2021
The Lake Parsippany Book Club meets to discuss books meets the third Tuesday of the month and is open to everyone. The Book Club is a group of friendly people that share a love of reading. They have informal gatherings in various locations about once a month to chat about our latest selection, as well as various other topics that inevitably arise! Welcome to anyone that loves to read, has an opinion, and can recommend a good book. Click here for more information.
Girl Scouts placing books in ‘Ilene’s Sharing Library’ Photo by Daniel Gardner
MORRIS COUNTY — A bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Ron Dancer and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, clarifying disability retirement eligibility for members of the State Police cleared the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on Thursday.
The bill (A1797) would allow State Police Retirement System members to qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits if a work-related traumatic event triggered a preexisting, asymptomatic condition. Currently, members cannot claim to be totally and permanently disabled, either physically or mentally, under such circumstances.
“No one expects that an asymptomatic condition could result in a permanent disability, but trauma can make that happen,” Dancer (R-Ocean) said. “Our State Police members should not be blocked from receiving the appropriate benefits needed due to physical or mental trauma suffered in the line of duty.”
Members who were denied this form of retirement in the previous 10 years can reapply if they initially applied within five years of the event. Approved beneficiaries will receive two-thirds of their annual compensation at the time of that traumatic event. The bill stipulates that the triggering event must have occurred while the member was performing regular duties, and could not have been caused by the member.
“This legislation will ensure the troopers who need this accidental disability benefit have access to it,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “The families of those public servants should have peace of mind that they will be provided for in the face of unexpected health challenges that force them out of work.”
The bill unanimously passed both houses of the Legislature last session but was pocket vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy.
PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills presented a donation check in the amount of $4,500 to the Parsippany PAL.
Sam Yodice, Executive Director
“We are pleased and delighted to announce that The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills presented a donation check in the amount of $4,500.00 to the Parsippany PAL,” said Executive Director Sam Yodice. “This morning we hosted a check-presentation and a small ceremony to honor, recognize and thank the wonderful civic and cultural efforts of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills” does in our community!
Members joining in the ceremony
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a dynamic group of women of all ages and walks of life committed to volunteerism and service to the community. Our Club is involved in charitable, philanthropic, educational, and recreational activities and has made many contributions to Parsippany and to our state. The Club works in harmony with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) and the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC).
PARSIPPANY — Liquid Church, one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing Christian churches, hosted two Kings & Queens Prom experiences for teens and adults with special needs across the state.
The proms took place at Liquid Church’s Morris County Campus in Parsippany on Friday, June 3 as well as at the church’s new Mercer County Campus in Princeton.
Over 400 guests and 600 volunteers attended, including personal hosts called “buddies” who were tasked with providing guests with special needs one-on-one care throughout the evening.
“Over the past six years, we’ve had the honor of hosting 4,500 guests with special needs at these incredible prom events,” said Kristin Flynn, Outreach Director at Liquid Church. “This is our first time hosting the prom since the pandemic hit New Jersey in 2020, so we’re excited to welcome back hundreds of guests and give them the VIP treatment they deserve.”
The dance floor was packed with guests dancing the night away
Every guest of the Kings & Queens Prom entered this free event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from friendly greeters and paparazzi photographers. Once inside, guests received the royal treatment, including a Beauty Bar with hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, limousine rides, karaoke, a delicious dinner, fun games, and a dance floor to dance the night away.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio with members of Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department
“At Liquid, we are passionate about serving families with special needs, and this prom season, we hosted not one, but two incredible prom experiences to give our guests with special needs the royal treatment,” said Tim Lucas, lead pastor and founder of Liquid Church. “Our heart is for every person with special needs to feel a sense of belonging and to be celebrated for their God-given gifts and abilities – rather than defined by their limitations.”
Pastor Tim Lucas with this date walk down the red carpet
For past prom events, Liquid Church has partnered with the Tim Tebow Foundation as a host site for Night to Shine, which is a worldwide movement celebrating people with special needs.
Click here for additional information on the Kings & Queens Prom hosted by Liquid Church.
Liquid Church is one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing Christian churches. Officially launched in 2007 by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas, the church’s vision is to “Saturate the State with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” with seven physical campuses in Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union Counties. Each week, about 5,000 people experience Liquid Church’s worship services in New Jersey and around the globe through Church Online. As part of its global outreach, Liquid provides clean drinking water to those in need, with hundreds of completed wells in Africa and Central America. CNN, FOX News, and TIME magazine have spotlighted Liquid Church’s innovative approaches to outreach and ministry.
PARSIPPANY — The honor and distinction of the Eagle Scout rank can only be achieved through hard work and commitment to the ideals of the Scouting movement. The achievement is so rare, that only 5% of Scouts earn the Eagle rank. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million Scouts.
Once a Scout advances to Eagle Scout, they will remain an Eagle for the rest of their life regardless of age or participation in Scouting. Eagle Scouts are expected to set an example for other Scouts and to become the leaders in life that they have demonstrated themselves to be in Scouting. As such, they have disproportionately represented in the military, service academy graduates, higher education and academia, major professions, the clergy, business, and politics.
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, mountain climbing begins. The path is marked by 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.
On Sunday, May 22, Parsippany welcomed another scout who advanced to Eagle Scout, Andrew Smith Jr.
Andrew joined Scouts BSA Troop 72 – Parsippany in February of 2018. Since then he has earned the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and now the highest rank in scouting Eagle.
He has earned the required 13 Eagle Scout Merit badges plus 13 others for a total of 26 Merit Badges. His position of responsibility within his troop is to serve as the Den Chief; where he assists the leaders of Parsippany Cub Scout Pack 215.
Additionally, Andrew was welcomed into the Order of the Arrow (the national honor society of the BSA) in May of 2021.
Andrew is completing his Freshman year at Parsippany High School.
