PARSIPPANY — Mike Ilic has earned a spot on the 2017-2018 Worcester Polytechnic Institute Wrestling team.
Mike is a graduate of Parsippany High School Class of 2017.
Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation’s first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. WPI’s talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university’s innovative Global Projects Program. There are more than 40 WPI project centers throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.
PARSIPPANY — The popular Third Friday Speaker Series continues at Temple Beth Am in Parsippany on Friday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m., with a timely and engaging speaker: Phoenix Schneider M.S.W., who will discuss Equality and Inclusion in Jewish Life for the LGBT Community.
Phoenix is the Director of the LGBTQ Initiative at Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Greater Philadelphia. Phoenix, a thought leader in the area of LGBTQ youth and mental health, has specializing in program development and direct services with LGBTQ communities and has extensive experience developing local and national programming for LGBTQ. Phoenix also works with Keshet, a national organization that strives for full LGBTQ equality and inclusion in Jewish life.
Under Phoenix’s leadership with JFCS of Greater Philadelphia, the agency was awarded The Human Rights Campaign Foundation “Seal of Recognition” for Leadership in Supporting and Serving LGBTQ Youth and Families. Phoenix was also selected to participate in a global think tank of leaders working with LGBTQ communities around the world. As a former Program Director with The Trevor Project Phoenix oversaw a safety net of suicide prevention programming for LGBTQ youth.
Phoenix’s lifelong mission is to help people seek their highest potential as well as to promote culture shifts towards full acceptance. This important and informative talk at Temple Beth Am is free and open to the public. Temple Beth Am is located at 879 South Beverwyck Rd in Parsippany.
For more information about the Third Friday Speaker Series or Temple Beth Am please contact Debbie Lesser, Temple Administrator, Temple Beth Am, 879 South Beverwyck Road. Phone: (973) 887-0046 or Email: office@tbaparsippany.org. Click here for website.
Celebrating our 52nd year, Temple Beth Am is a Reform congregation with a diverse membership living throughout Morris County, including the towns of Boonton, Denville, Lake Hiawatha, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Parsippany, Randolph and Rockaway. We open our doors to all adults and youth, singles and couples, Jews-by-birth and Jews-by-choice, and interfaith couples. Led by Rabbi Estelle Mills and Rabbi/Cantor Inna Serebro-Litvak, Temple Beth Am is an inclusive, warm and welcoming place for personal and communal prayer, solace and comfort, joyous celebration, community service, education and sharing as a vibrant Jewish congregation.
PARSIPPANY — Santa arrived just in time for the children to have breakfast at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 5 on Sunday, December 3.
Santa Breakfast at District 5
1 of 8
Logan Taylor and Brandon Schweizer Jr.
Mike Szollosy and Adam Campbell
Nicolas Limanov, Santa and Al Goldberg
Eleven month old Grayson Taylor meeting Santa for the first time
13 month old Michael Szollosy and Fireman Nick Dianuzzo
Nicolas Limanov and Robert Peluso, Jr.
The Peluso Family
President John Dente telling Santa he wants a new firetruck for Christmas
The children had the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas, as their parents took many pictures.
The volunteers also cooked up a delicious pancake, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon breakfast.
PARSIPPANY — Santa arrived in Parsippany-Troy Hills just in time to light the tree at Town Hall on Saturday, December 2.
Santa arrived with a police escort sitting on a fire truck from Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 6 just in time to help Mayor James Barberio light the Christmas tree at Town Hall.
The children was able to sip on hot chocolate supplied by Houlihan’s and have some delicious cookies supplied by ShopRite.
Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting
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Councilman Paul Carifi, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Council President Louis Valori, Mayor James Barberio, Brenda Barberio, Angela Barberio and Councilman Michael dePierro
The Zitelli Family: Jen, Tom, Colin, Alex and Justin
The Peluso Family - Ildiko, Robert and Robert Jr.
Nicolas and Edward Limanov
Julia and Sophia Guerero and Edward Chiappa
Santa Claus with Mayor-Elect Michael Soriano
Lacey Anderson with Santa Claus
Santharam Kannan, Eleven year old Ragayi, two year old Hitesh and Laavanya Kannan
Sydney, Nathan, Ronnie, Shane and Zachary Petzinger posing with Mayor-Elect Michael Soriano
Robert Peluso Jr and Justin Stanton
Edward and Nicolas Limanov
Immediately following the tree lighting Santa met with children, and wanted to know what each child wanted him to bring to their home on Christmas eve. The children also received candy canes and a special gift from Santa.
PARSIPPANY — Global commercial real estate services organization Colliers International has announced the addition of Jennifer Flores to its Parsippany retail brokerage division. Flores, who started with the firm as an intern in the retail practice last summer, brings more than six years of construction-side commercial real estate experience to her new position as associate in Colliers’ Parsippany office.
“We are committed to growing our retail division and are very pleased to have Jennifer become our newest member,” said David A. Simon, SIOR, executive managing director and Colliers New Jersey market leader. “Jennifer has been working with us through our internship program and was able to experience our industry first hand before to making a full time commitment.”
Flores recently graduated from Montclair State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance and real estate investment, and holds an NJ Salespersons License. “I met Nancy Erickson, a Colliers executive managing director, when I was a student at Montclair, and she has served as a mentor to me ever since,” she said. “My internship here was a wonderful opportunity, and now I am grateful for the chance to start my retail brokerage career at one of the most prominent international real estate companies in the industry.”
“Jennifer is a natural when it comes to tenant and landlord representation,” noted Erickson. “From the outset, she has taken on more responsibility and shown deeper insight than most interns I have worked with previously, which is a testament to her maturity and prior experience. We are thrilled to make her a permanent member of our team.”
The Colliers New Jersey retail team – led by Nancy Erickson, Kelly Bayer and Flores – focuses on landlord and tenant representation and currently represents many high-profile local and regional assignments and expanding brands including: Bell Works in Holmdel, Montgomery Place and The Grove both in Montgomery, and 520 Broad Street (the IDT Building) in Newark. The group also represents high-profile tenants including Glow Zone, Cinemex, Ruth’s Chris, 99 Ranch, Wayne Tile, Kobeyaki, AT&T, Kiddie Academy, Scrubs & Beyond, BurgerIM, Hibbett Sports, Boxology, Agile Urgent Care, One River School and others both regionally and nationally.
Industry Involvement Fosters Professional Growth and Success
Erickson and Flores initially connected during an event hosted by Commercial Real Estate Women, Inc. New Jersey (CREW NJ) at Montclair State. For Erickson, being part of trade groups that foster education and networking, like CREW, is an important ingredient of being a successful broker.
“This industry is built on relationships,” she said. “Groups like CREW, ICSC, Ladies Pipeline and others enable professionals from every aspect of commercial real estate to come together and share knowledge. That is incredibly valuable when it comes to structuring transactions and serving clients.”
To that end, Erickson encourages her team to get involved. As a long-time member of CREW NJ and NY, Erickson, herself, recently was appointed secretary to the NJ Chapter’s incoming 2018 board. She also is a founding member of Ladies Pipeline.
Flores already is following suit. This fall she was appointed to the International Council of Shopping Center’s (ICSC’s) 2018 PA/NJ/DE Next Generation Committee. This select group of participants develops programs geared toward helping industry newcomers address challenges, interests and trends in retail real estate.
PARSIPPANY — Mention the name Grover Kemble and area music-lovers immediately think guitar and jazz – or perhaps Jimmy Durante. Few know of his career as a talented music therapist at Greystone Park, which gained him similar accolades.
Grover Kemble
Kemble, a Parsippany resident, will reminisce about his career and accomplishments as an innovative music therapist and the holiday celebrations at Greystone during a special Morris County Historical Society presentation on Sunday, December 17, 2:00 p.m., at Acorn Hall, 68 Lafayette Ave. Kemble’s creative occupational therapy, the holiday programs and work done by Greystone staff perpetuated Greystone physician Thomas Kirkbride’s philosophy of creating a warm and caring environment to improve the health of the mentally ill.
For example, patients performed annually in staff-assisted talent shows. “In each production,” Kemble has written, “expressive, emotive processes take place that aid in healing and restoring psychiatric patients’ sense of personal wholeness and well-being.”
The son of a Greystone psychiatrist, Kemble began his career in therapy as a young volunteer at Greystone in the 1960s. By the 1980s, following his formal education and with a career as a professional musician, Kemble returned to Greystone and spent over 20 years leading, growing and broadening the hospital’s occupational therapy program.
Tickets are $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors, $7.00 for students, and free for MCHS members and children. As seating is limited, advance ticket purchases are encouraged through the MCHS website by clicking here or by calling MCHS at (973) 267-3465.
Founded in 1945, MCHS is a member-supported 501 (c)3 organization whose mission is to preserve and promote the history of Morris County.
MONTVILLE — Senator Joe Pennacchio’s legislative office will continue its holiday tradition of collecting toy donations to support local organizations that help children. All are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at the Senator’s district office in Montville.
Pictured are toys collected in 2016 for local organizations by Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislative office. Donations will again be collected at his Montville office through Friday, December 15. (SenateNJ.com)
“The holiday season is a time for us to come together to support those in need, and teach our own children the value of making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate,” Senator Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) said. “It is truly a privilege to open our doors as a collection site for children in need. I urge my constituents to take the time to make a donation and embrace the spirit of generosity that this season inspires.”
Senator Pennacchio’s legislative office will be collecting toys for children up to age twelve through Friday, December 15.
Donations may be delivered to the 26th District Office between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday.
The district office is located in Unit A1 at 170 Changebridge Road, Montville.
Please call (973) 227-4012 for directions or with any questions.
SPARTA — Project Help a local charity devoted to helping veterans and their families and will be providing Christmas Gifts for the children of local military veterans.
This is the second annual Santa Shop that Project Help is sponsoring at the Sparta Middle School on Route 517 in Sparta on December 14. Toys are being collected by the West Milford American Legion and all are welcome to donate.
The Christmas shop is open to the parents to come and shop, at no cost, for all the gifts they need for their children. Project Help also hopes to have gift cards for food and gas for the families as well as the toys.
If you would like to contribute an unwrapped toy, new hats, gloves and scarves or gift cards, the deadline is December 13. The Santa Shop setup time is 5:00 p.m. and the program start time is 6:00 p.m. There are at least 20 children to make happy on Christmas morning, boys and girls ages 4-17. Suggested teen items could be hats, gloves, hair jewelry etc. Contact (973) 875-2068 or email sandy@mitchellclan.com for drop off instructions.
Sandy Mitchell, Executive Director of Project Help, will address the veterans who are enrolled in the Military Families Night Out program hosted by the Center for Prevention in Newton. Mitchell will talk to the veterans about the resources that Project Help can supply to them and their families, all of whom have fallen upon hard times, or have just not succeeded as they’d hoped.
Project Help, Inc., a 501(c)3 Charity, is incorporated in Sussex County. “Our mission, said Mitchell, is to help Veterans and their families during difficult times. We cover the seven northern counties in assisting Veterans in getting their lives back together.” She is also the founded of Project Help and knows only too well the aftermath of war. She was married to a Vietnam Vet and has a special place in her heart for all veterans of every war. “Many are lost in war and many as the result of being in war”, said Sandy, who lost her husband after he returned home from Vietnam.
Project Help is growing quickly and expansion creates a massive need for reliable volunteers, committee and board members. If you would like to help, just contact them at (973) 875-2068.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad gave a basic overview of the ambulance to students at St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group.
Sister Sylvia Berzinski coordinated the group of children to learn about Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
The lesson was on Ambulances and EMT’s helping our community. The members gave the kids and parents a basic overview of what Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad does on a daily basis. They also demonstrated the use of the equipment.
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
The children inside of an ambulance
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
EMT’sRev. Don Bragg and Jack Reed demonstrate for the children
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
The St. Peter’s Peanut Playgroup is for preschool children and their parents/guardians. Its purpose is to teach children to interact with each other and act as an emotional support for parents. The group meets every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the Church Hall. It is open to all children of the parish from birth to age five. Parents must accompany and supervise their children. There are some outings, such as pumpkin picking in October, and occasionally other trips. All parishioners are welcome to join us with their children each week.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Henry Simon is a sculptor who creates with copper and bronze.
All of his sculptures are crafted from common materials: plumbing pipes, roofing copper, copper wire, brass, and other everyday items. I have recently started to experiment with color using glass enamel powder melted with a blowtorch.
Henry Simon was born the son of sharecroppers in Lake City, South Carolina. Because they were so poor, his father taught him and his brothers to make toys like busses, cars, and farm equipment.
They used aluminum soda cans and coat hanger wire, as well as wire from bales of hay and electrical cattle fences. Henry’s schooling came to a halt when his father became ill and he had to replace him in the fields to feed the large family. After moving to New Jersey, Henry began his career in the international moving business. He never abandoned his interest in sculpture, first teaching himself to solder and then to weld. He became interested in assembling found objects, plumbing pipes, roofing copper and brass into larger and more intricate sculptures. He started entering art shows and craft fairs.
His work sold well and some commissioned pieces have been sent as far as Germany and Poland. In 1985, Henry was commissioned to create a full sized sculpture of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that was dedicated by former Governor Thomas Kean of New Jersey and has been permanently installed in Passaic County Community College in Paterson. This event was covered by all major area newspapers including the New York Times and television news stations. Henry was interviewed in a segment of “Midday Live” with Bill Boggs, and on “Images /Imagiones” on public television.
His sculptures have been displayed throughout the area. His most recent creation, Zonora Plays Carnegie Hall. a life sized sculpture of an African American woman playing the violin was displayed at the Paterson Museum in February and March of 2007. Henry is the recipient of the Parsippany, New Jersey Mayor’s Award.
Simon said “My sculptures reflect my life. Many of them portray people and things that I remember from my childhood in the rural south. Since I have never taken an art lesson in my life, I feel that these works are really extensions of myself. I am not happy unless I am working on a sculpture and always have something in progress in my workshop. I feel that my work has steadily progressed as I have learned by trial and error new techniques and materials to incorporate into my sculptures. I have recently started to experiment with color using glass enamel powder melted with a blowtorch. My mission is to bring some visual pleasure and beauty to those that see my work and to perhaps allow them to look at the world through my eyes if only for a moment.”
