Meet Chester, a ten-year-old Bully mix!

PARSIPPANY — This low-rider lived in a home until he was surrendered to shelter in August. We are so happy to help this AMAZING senior find his forever home!

He weighs sixty pounds and is a big hunk of love. He is 100% house trained and is not destructive when left alone. Chester is happiest snoozing on the couch – and snoring!

He is super food/treat motivated and eager to please. Chester knows sit, come, leave it, wait, with me, and here–that big head is holding a big brain! He also loves to play fetch and go for walks.

Chester tends to be a strong puller on-leash, but he is working hard to correct that with his foster mama. He LOVES belly rubs and will often invite you to do so (see picture #2). Chester also loves being scratched on the neck.

His foster mama describes him as a very sweet boy and a good dog – easy!

If you’re looking to welcome a perfect, hunky senior into your home, look no further than Chester!

If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application by clicking here.

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PHS Marching Band Wins again at North Warren Competition

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School Redhawk Marching Band took first place in the US Bands competition held at North Warren Regional High School on Saturday, October 19.

With their show entitled “Bollywood” –  the Band scored 87.363 and won best caption for Color Guard, followed by Lenape High School scoring 86.263, for the division 3A set.  The Marching Redhawks also were awarded “Best in Show” for the entire competition for all divisions.

This follows their showing at Mount Olive High School on Saturday, October 12 where they chalked up a first place win over Lenape and Pequannock High Schools, and a previous second place finish at US Bands Yamaha Cup at Metlife Stadium October 5th with the award for best overall music for division 3A.

The Redhawk band will compete this weekend at the NJ State Championships for 3A at Rowan University on Sunday, October 27.

Teens Learn About Careers In Aviation

MORRIS COUNTY — Young men and women, ages 14-20, who are interested in careers in aviation are invited to join Aviation Explorer Post 523 on Wednesday, October 30 at Morristown Airport.  The goal of the post is to help teens experience different career paths in aviation.

On October 30 the meeting will focus on an airplane’s instrument panel.

The post is chartered to DM Airports Ltd. and will meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month.  New Explorers are welcome and can register by clicking here.

Exploring is a worksite-based program of Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America.  Exploring units, called “posts”, usually have a focus on a single career field, such as police, healthcare, law, aviation, engineering, fire/rescue or the like, and may be sponsored by a government or business entity

For further information please contact Al Thomas, District Executive at 973-765-9322 x229, al.thomas@scouting.org.

Two Parsippany Teens Earn Eagle Scout Rank

PARSIPPANY — The final ascent on the Eagle trail is the longest and the hardest.  It is not unusual for this rank to take several years, and many Scouts never make it, but for Timothy William Metcalf and Colin Georges Aguesseau that was different. They worked hard and long and achieved the rank of Eagle. On Sunday, October 20 Troop 173 B.S.A. held an Eagle Court of Honor in which Timothy William Metcalf and Colin Georges Aguesseau were honored with their Eagle Badge.

Scoutmaster Michael Catapano was the Master of Ceremonies. Invocation was by Father Joseph G. Buffardi, Saint Christopher R.C. Church. Tyler Catapano, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader performed the Flag Salute and recited the Scout Oath and Law.

Advancement Chair Chris Modin read the certification of the Eagle candidate. Eagle Badge Presentation was presented by Daniel V. Metcalf (for Timothy Metcalf) and Christine Aguesseau (for Colin Aguesseau). Eagle Charge was read by Past Scoutmaster John Worthington and the Benediction was by Father Michal A. Falgowski from Saint Christopher R.C. Church.

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 their 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. An average of only 4% of the Boy Scouts actually earn this rank.

The requirements for the Eagle Scout rank are as follows:

    1. Be active in your troop and patrol for at least six months as a Life Scout.
    2. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life.
    3. Earn 21 merit badges, including the 12 that are required-First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Swimming or Hiking or Cycling, Camping, and Family Life.
    4. Serve actively in an approved position of responsibility for a period of six months after becoming a Life Scout.
    5. Plan, develop, and lead others in carrying out a service project worthy of an Eagle Scout.
    6. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference
    7. Appear before a board of review of prominent persons, and satisfy them that you have done your best to understand and live up to the Scout Oath and Law and, in all ways, qualify for the Eagle Scout Award.

COLIN GEORGES AGUESSEAU

Colin Georges Aguesseau

Colin began his Scouting career as a Tiger Scout in Cub Scout Pack 5, earning his Arrow of Light and crossing over to Boy Scout Troop 173 in March 2011.

As Colin progressed through Scouts, he held the role of Patrol Leader four times as well as Scribe. Colin attended BSA National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) in the summer of 2013.

Many of Colin’s best summer memories were made at BSA Camps: Camp Wheeler, which he attended every summer as a Cub Scout and later worked as a Camp Counselor for five years – and Camp Winnebago, which he enjoyed attending with Troop 173 each summer. Among the many highlights there were winning the mile swim in 2016 and the earning “greasy watermelon” for his Troop two years in a row. With his Troop, Colin completed a total of 102 nights of camping, and 31 in a cabin, including on Big Trips to Lake George, Boston and Washington DC.

While in Troop 173, Colin participated in 95 community service hours. Colin has continued this tradition of service in his community: joining Explorers Post 131 of the Parsippany Police Dept when they relaunched in the summer of 2016 (promoted to the rank of Sergeant in Jan 2019) and the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, District 2, Parsippany-Troy Hills, in 2018.

Colin’s Eagle Scout Project

Colin completed his Eagle Scout project in the fall of 2017, constructing and installing platforms at the Mt. Tabor Pond, providing residents of his community a place to fish.

On February 13, 2018, Colin became the 74th Scout in Troop’s 173’s 60+ year history to earn the rank of Eagle.

Colin graduated from Parsippany Hills High School in June 2018, but even as he began his college career in Business Administration at the County College of Morris, he continued his Scouting career by joining Troop 173’s Venture Crew, culminating in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of attending Philmont – the BSA’s largest National High Adventure Base – in the summer of 2019, an unforgettable adventure.

Colin earned 24 merit badges: Camping, Chemistry, Citizenship in the Community,
Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Collections Communications, Cooking, Environmental Science, Family Life, Fingerprinting, First Aid, Fishing, Geocaching, Geology, Kayaking, Lifesaving, Metalwork, Nature, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Pottery, Small Boat Sailing and Swimming.

TIMOTHY WILLIAM METCALF

Timothy William Metcalf

Timothy began his Scouting experience in Cub Scout Pack 175. When he was eligible to join Boy Scouts to continue his Scouting experience he became a member of Troop 173.

Timothy quickly started making new  friends  while  rising through  the  ranks of Scouting under Scoutmasters Ken Galley, John  Worthington,  and  Les Wu; he was very active in the Troop by attending most campouts  and Troop meetings. He also attended National Youth Leadership Training and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. He has a total number of 169 camping nights and has earned a total of 32 merit badges. With his extra  merit badges, he also earned a bronze and gold Palm. He has a total of 221 service hours with the Troop. During his time with the Troop he held many positions of responsibility including being Troop Guide Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader. While in the Troop he earned the Scout Scholar Athlete Award and the Pope Pius XII award. He joined Venture Crew 173 associated with the Troop and with that group he attended Philmont in the Summer of 2019.

Timothy’s Eagle Scout Project

For his Eagle Project, Timothy renovated an upstairs storage room in the Smith Baldwin Historical House in Parsippany. His crew cleaned out the room, and painted walls in the room. Tim designed and the crew built two wood storage units for the room. He received guidance and encouragement from his Eagle Coach, Ginny Grabinsky, his family, all the adult leaders in his Troop, and Randy Tortorello, his Project Beneficiary. He also received help from his friends and embers of Troop 173. Timothy is thankful for all the support he received with his Project.

Timothy  graduated  from Seton Hall Preparatory School. While he continued to be active in Scouting; he also played sports, was involved  with  clubs, performed  community service and worked on installing landscaping lights with his dad. He played on the school bowling team and ultimately became Captain. Tim was the President of the Pirates Against Cancer Club and the Vice President of the Service Club. At St. Christopher’s Church, he was an Altar Server, volunteered at Vacation Bible School, and even dressed as the Easter Bunny for the children at Easter time. He is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Timothy’s favorite parts of Scouting were camping, hiking, and white-water rafting. He also gained many different skills and knowledge throughout Scouting that will help him throughout the rest of his life.

Timothy earned 32 merit badges: Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in Nation, Citizenship in World, Collections, Communication, Cooking, Environmental Science, Family Life, Fingerprinting,  First Aid, Geology, Kayaking, Leatherwork, Lifesaving, Metalwork, Nature,  Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Pioneering, Reptile/Amphibian, Small Boat Sailing, Soil and Water, Space Exploration, Sports, Swimming, Weather, Wilderness Survival and Wood Carving.

 

 

Prescription Drug Take Back Day

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department is taking back unwanted prescription drugs Saturday, October 26 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in front of the Harmon Face Values Store, 3189 Route 46, located in the Morris Hills Shopping Center.

They cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, ONLY PATCHES OR PILLS.
This drop off is ONLY for individual citizens. Businesses that deal with pharmaceuticals, doctors, health care providers, and pharmacies are prohibited from disposing of pharmaceuticals at the collection site under FDA guidelines.

According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

Real Life Superhero Heads to Chiller Theatre

PARSIPPANY — Meet Kadrolsha Ona Carole. Real-Life Comic Book Superhero. She is indisputably the first person in comic book history to do what she does in real life between the pages of a comic book.

Kadrolsha Ona Queen of the Paranormal Reg. TM is indisputably comic book royalty by being the first person in comic book history to be a Superhero doing what she does in real life between pages of a comic book. A real paranormal investigator (Ghost Hunter). She will be appearing at Chiller Theatre at the Hilton, One Hilton Court from October 25 through October 27.

Kadrolsha comic character fights evil with the energy of positivity. A refreshing nonviolent approach for comic book superheroes. Helping others is her passion. KO wants to meet you and share her paranormal knowledge with you through her energy reading and conversations. She is the real deal. You will love her. She is amazing!

Kadrolsha Ona Carole is part of Warner Brother’s motion picture history with her contribution to the 40th Anniversary of The Exorcist DVD on Blue Ray. KO is an International Award-Winning Film Producer and Actress with 47 Awards on IMDB. All her films are listed on IMDB imdb.me/kadrolshaonacarole

KO hosts Paranormal 13 News (P13N) on the Galaxy Global TV Network, Roku plus many more and in 195 countries, 50 states, Comcast, SimulTV a total of over 211,436,972 million homes.and in airport televisions services.

Kadrolsha is collaborating on her first children’s book with the legendary 2 time Emmy winner Bill Diamond of Jim Henson and the Muppets for Book 1 in her Children’s series. For Book 2 she is collaborating with Award-winning Guy Gilchrist of the Muppets artist for Jim Henson. KO’s children’s book has a hard-hitting message for growing minds.

Kadrolsha is collaborating with Guy Gilchrist creator of “The Muppet Babies” his work was declared a National Treasure in 1984 by First Lady, Nancy Reagan. The books are a series of hard-hitting issues with a positive message for children. Her second book “Dean is worried for his friend” deals with physical abuse. This is essential for children, parents, and caretakers to fully understand. In the collaboration Kadrolsha Ona and Guy Gilchrist that is exactly what they present. Hard topics presented in a gentle manner with a positive outcome.

For more information click here.

Richa Patel Receives Her Pharmacy White Coats

PARSIPPANY — Richa Patel was one of the 110 students in Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at University of the Sciences received their white coats at a ceremony on Saturday, September 28. The white coat ceremony is an annual rite of passage for students in their first professional year (third year) of USciences’ six-year pharmacy program and symbolizes their dedication to the profession of pharmacy and to the care of others.

Patel is a 2017 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School.

University of the Sciences has prepared students to be leaders and practitioners in the healthcare and science fields for nearly 200 years. Key to its distinctive education is a tradition of hands-on research and experiential learning that is evident in every graduate who has walked its campus.

Since its founding in 1821 as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy in North America, USciences has grown to more than 30 degree-granting programs from bachelor’s through doctoral degrees in the health sciences, bench sciences, and healthcare business and policy fields. Discover how USciences students are proven everywhere they go by clicking here.

University of the Sciences

CCM to Present Films and Lectures at Morris Museum

MORRIS COUNTY — Described by the Village Voice as more than a film, the documentary “Karl Marx City” will be the first of three presentations held at the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre by the County College of Morris (CCM) Legacy Project this academic year.

“Karl Marx City,” co-directed by the award-winning filmmaker Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker, “is a fascinating conversation about history itself, the very act of forgetting and the persistence of memory,” according to the Village Voice. The film explores the suicide of Epperlein’ father and the life of her family behind the Iron Curtain.

The documentary will be shown as part of this year’s Legacy Project series focusing on “War, Peace and Healing.”

Free and open to the public, “Karl Marx City,” followed by a Q&A with Epperlein, will be shown at the Morris Museum Bickford Theatre, on Friday, November 1, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. To guarantee seating, please RSVP to leagacy@ccm.edu. The Morris Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown.

The Legacy Project will offer two additional presentations at the Bickford Theatre in the spring. Specific dates have yet to be scheduled.

In March, poet Seema Reza, will introduce the documentary film, “We Are Not Done Yet,” and then participate in a discussion after the screening.

Directed by Sareen Hairabedian and produced by Jeffrey Wright (Emmy winner for HBO’s Angels in America and two-time Emmy nominee for HBO’s Westworld) and David Holbrooke (HBO’s The Diplomat), the film profiles a group of veterans and active-duty service members as they share their experiences and seek to combat their traumas in a United Service Organizations writing workshop.

The project was inspired by the writing workshops for veterans led by poet Reza, chair of Community Building Art Works, a charitable organization that develops arts programs for veterans and their communities.

In April, Eugenie Mukeshimana, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, will give a lecture on “Surviving Genocide.” She will share her experiences, discuss forces in Rwanda that fomented the genocide, and educate listeners about the dangers of hatred, inflammatory language, violence and the dehumanization of others.

For additional information on this year’s Legacy Project programs click here. Specific dates for the spring events also will be announced there.

Over its seven years of existence, the Legacy Project, led by a team of CCM professors and staff members, has presented lectures and programming on a variety of important issues that impact society.

This year’s programming is supported with a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Morris County Sheriff’s Candidate William Schievella Announces Community Safety Plan

MORRIS COUNTY — William Schievella, the Democratic challenger for Morris County Sheriff in November’s elections, has announced a comprehensive community safety plan that recognizes that crime prevention involves community partnerships and will reposition the Sheriff’s Department as a resource for residents.

Initiatives include partnering with clergy to reduce violence against religious institutions and improve relationships between law enforcement and members of religious communities; establishing a narcotics enforcement unit to stop the flow of opioids into Morris County; establishing a School Safety Task Force comprised of school administrators, law enforcement members, mental health professionals, clergy and other stakeholders; improving training for law enforcement officers in dealing with persons with mental health issues with programs such as CIT used in other counties. The program also includes a dedicated animal abuse division and initiatives to protect seniors from fraud and improve retention and morale of Sheriff’s Officers.

“These initiatives are designed to strengthen our communities at their foundation by forming relationships between all stakeholders, including law enforcement, and addressing the issues that weaken our communities before they escalate into crime,” Schievella said. “Our current Sheriff’s department is stagnant and trapped in the past. We need new leadership, new ideas and modern law enforcement approaches if we are going to successfully meet the needs of Morris County,” he said.

THE PLAN
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS & OUTREACH
• Establish a permanent School Safety Task Force comprised of many school administrators, teacher’s, mental health professionals, clergy, elected officials, law enforcement and academic leaders to hold public hearings in different areas of the county seeking input from everyone.

• Create a Sheriff’s Clergy Program to implement community policing throughout Morris County.

• Create a Senior Citizen’s Academy to provide a comprehensive law enforcement program to prevent abuse and fraud

• Host quarterly job fairs at the correctional facility to help offenders returning to our neighborhoods obtain gainful employment

• Implement a free child car seat Installation program to help keep Morris County children safe

• Restore Hero for the Day Program for seriously ill children, a program I began when I was an Undersheriff

• Expand the hours and scope of the Sheriff’s Community Policing Outreach to meet the needs of Morris County’s diverse populations

ADDICTION & DRUG CRIME
• Increase partnerships with area hospitals to have medical personnel play a larger role in providing addiction services to those in need.

• Implement Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) in County Schools not currently providing this program. LEAD is the largest national evidenced based drug and violence prevention program making a difference in PREVENTING addiction

• Establish a narcotics unit to stop the flow of opioids into Morris County

IMPROVE OFFICER TRAINING AND SUPPORT
• Implement Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) to reduce Use of Force incidents and assist law enforcement in dealing with persons with mental illness to deescalate volatile situations. This highly effective program is used in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and many other counties

• Seek accreditation for mental health services from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care for the Morris County Correctional Facility

• Create a working group to address poor retention of Sheriff’s Officers and on-going morale issues.

MODERN LAW ENFORCEMENT
• Expand the current Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Unit to create a true regional crime lab. This could raise revenue from neighboring counties and provide cutting edge technology to our law enforcement officers.

• Establish Unit to combat Animal Abuse

• Utilize Sheriff’s Office resources to support local law enforcement and the Park Police in fighting crime and stopping the flow of drugs into Morris County

• Create a volunteer group of retired law enforcement officers to expand community outreach and educational programs. This allows our retired officers to use expert training and experience to give back to the community while saving tax dollars

• Conduct a full audit of the Sheriff’s department’s budget and operations

During a three-decade career in law enforcement, Bill Schievella has served as a New Jersey State Correction Officer, New Jersey State Parole Officer & Sergeant, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives and as Under Sheriff in the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. He has served on over twelve state, county and criminal justice boards.
Bill has served as President of the New Jersey Police Community Affairs Officers Association, County Chiefs of Detectives/Investigators Association of New Jersey, and as a National Executive Board Member of Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD), the largest national evidence-based drug prevention program of its kind. He is the founder and president of the Italian-American Police Society of New Jersey, a 5,000-member charitable police organization.

Bill’s many awards and recognitions include: Man of the Year by the Morris County Chapter NAACP, Grand Marshal of the Morris County Columbus Day Parade, Man of the Year by the NJ Asian American Law Enforcement Officers Association and Law Enforcement Achievement Award from the Peace Island Institute, a Muslim-based organization promoting interfaith dialogue and acceptance. He is a past recipient of the NJ Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association Stamler Award and is proud to be a Lifetime Member of the organization’s Board of Directors. Bill’s professional experience includes Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice, Leadership, Terrorism, as well as Homeland Security Task Force Coordinator.

Bill completed his undergraduate degree at Caldwell College and earned a Master of Administrative Science and a post-Masters Certificate in Global Terrorism from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is a graduate of the prestigious West Point Command & Leadership Program as well as the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Course at Princeton University. For five years, Bill served as Councilman-at-Large in Rockaway Township.

Bill’s campaign is supported by the NYPD Detectives Endowment Association, NYC Uniformed Firefighters Association, National Coalition of Latino Officers NJ Chapter, Blacks in Law Enforcement Serving the Community (BLESC) and other groups.

Follow Bill’s campaign by clicking here.
For more information click here.

An “Out Of This World” musical experience

NORTH JERSEY — “Out Of This World” will treat you to some of the most heavenly tunes this side of the Milky Way! It will feature the Morris Music Men, Morris County’s premiere barbershop chorus. Under the dynamic direction of Drew University graduate Nate Barrett, the chorus has nearly doubled in size over the past three years and has added a number of exciting new tunes to its already audience-pleasing repertoire.

At 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 3, the Watchung Hills Performing Arts Center, 108 Stirling Road, Warren, will ring with the exciting sound of 4-part barbershop harmony.

Joining the Morris Music Men as very special guests will be the Performing Artists of Bellville High School, an amazing group of talented teens who will send you to the moon with their irresistible combination of style and energy

Tickets are $25.00 and are available in advance or at the door. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more. For tickets and more information about the show and chorus, call 877-808-8697 or visit the chapter’s website by clicking here.

The Morris Music Men include men of all ages from across North Jersey. They meet at 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 300 Shunpike Road, Chatham, to sing and socialize. New singers are always welcome. Follow the MMM on Facebook and Instagram and visit their YouTube channel.

The chorus is one of 750 chapters of the international 25,000-member Barbershop Harmony Society. In addition to presenting annual shows, and delivering Singing Valentines each February, The Morris Music Men perform at numerous community festivals and summer concert series. To be notified of upcoming events, visit their website.

Made possible by funds from Morris Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.