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.”
My letter to the Mayor-Elect of Parsippany the day after he was elected.
Dear Mayor-Elect Soriano: Congratulations once again on your victory! My family and I are looking forward to the positive change that you will bring to Parsippany!
I am writing you about a major concern that I have regarding what appears to be a significant increase in burglaries and car thefts in our area. Just last night, my neighbors car was stolen from our street and a few months ago another car was stolen from a driveway on the next street. These occurrences have struck fear in the hearts of families throughout our neighborhood in Lake Parsippany. It makes us wonder how and why criminals are roaming the same streets that we walk with our families and friends. I am sure that you have a full plate of issues to address as you transition into office.
However, I hope that you can prioritize this issue. I’d like to know what ideas you have to maintain the reputation Parsippany has had for many years of being a township that is safe for families. I believe that the community also has a responsibility to keep the town safe. As such, I would like to know what we can do as a community to help law enforcement and each other to keep the town safe. (Neighborhood watch, external cameras, etc…)
Thanks so much for your time and a sincere best wishes for your success.
DENVILLE — The Morris County Young Republicans held their November meeting at Charlie Brown’s.
Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi sponsored the event and spoke to the audience about all the services offered by the Clerk’s office.
In addition, the 2018 officers were elected. They are State Committeeman Justin Musella, State Committeewoman Tia-Lynn Fritze, Vice Chair Kevin Stales, Chair Sydney Ugalde, Secretary Joe Bock, Treasurer Julie Lapatka.
2018 Officers: State Committeeman Justin Musella, State Committeewoman Tia-Lynn Fritze, Vice Chair Kevin Stales, Chair Sydney Ugalde, Secretary Joe Bock, Treasurer Julie LapatkaFreeholder-elect Heather Darling, Nicolas Limanov and Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi
Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi speaking to the members of Morris County Young RepublicansMorris County Clerk Ann Grossi President Morris County Young Republicans and Chair Joseph Bock
The Morris County Young Republicans is a chapter within the New Jersey Young Republican Federation. We are one of the most active Young Republican clubs in the State of New Jersey. In 2016, we were proud to receive the NJYRF’s Award for “Club of the Year.” With increased membership and fundraising this past year, including for charity, the Young Republicans take pride in improving their community and working on key races for Republicans in 2017.
Several members and former members have run for and won elected office. They continue to support fellow Young Republicans in their campaigns and making a difference.
Associate or Regular Members of Morris County Young Republicans Club for the Year 2017 are Senator Anthony Bucco, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, Jr., Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Assemblyman Richard Kamin, Assemblyman Jay Webber, County Clerk Ann Grossi, Freeholder Doug Cabana, Freeholder John Cesaro, Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, Freeholder W. Hank Lyon (Regular Member), Freeholder Tom Mastrangelo, Freeholder Christine Meyers, Freeholder Deborah Smith, Sheriff James Gannon, Sheriff Ed Rochford
Boonton Town Alderman Dan Piccioni, Boonton Town Alderwoman Doris Yanez, Denville Councilman Gene Fitzpatrick, Denville Councilman John Murphy, Jefferson Councilman Robert Birmingham, Long Hill Committeeman Guy Piserchia, Mine Hill Councilman Dave Bloom, Morris Plains Mayor Frank Dreutzler, Morris Township Mayor Bruce Sisler (Former YR Chairman), Morris Township Councilman Matheu Nunn (Regular Member), Nutley Commissioner Steven Rogers, Parsippany Mayor James Barberio, Parsippany Councilman Michael DePierro, Parsippany Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani, Parsippany Councilman Robert Peluso, Parsippany Councilman Dr. Louis Valori, Randolph Mayor Christine Carey, Randolph Councilman James Loveys, Randolph Councilwoman Joanne Veech, Rockaway Borough Councilman Tom Mulligan, Rockaway Township Mayor Michael Dachisen, Roxbury Councilman Robert DeFiliippo, Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady and Sussex County Freeholder Hal Wirths.
Grossi grew up in Parsippany and lives in her family home with her husband and daughter. Ann considers herself a public servant, not a politician, who has dedicated her life to serving the people, her community and the residents of Morris County. She was awarded a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law, MA and BA from William Paterson College of NJ, and AA from County College of Morris. Ann is a member of the Morris County Bar Association, and is admitted to the NJ Bar, the US District Court for the District of NJ and the NJ Supreme Court. Ann has served Morris County for many years at the grass root level. In 2013, she was elected as Morris County Clerk, where she manages six diverse departments; staffed by 38 employees.
Currently, she serves on the Board for the Morris County Library Foundation and a continues as a public member of the Picatinny Technology Innovation Center. Ann has been honored by various organizations. They are as follows: in 2011, Ann was honored as Woman of the Year by the Parsippany Republican Club, in 2012 as Outstanding Italian American by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Community Affairs Unit, and the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey, as Outstanding Woman of Achievement by the Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce, in 2014, she was recognized as Outstanding Alumni by the County College of Morris and in 2015, for her contribution to UNI CO National.
PARSIPPANY — On Thursday, November 30, Dhiren Mathias, owner of MAX Challenge of East Hanover/Parsippany was inducted into Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. Club member Nicolas Limanov, sponsored Dhiren and presented him with Kiwanis membership pin and certificate.
“Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome a new member into our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Dhiren Mathias to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany,” said President Frank Cahill.
Cahill continued “We welcome you to this global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Would you, Nicolas, please place the pin on Dhiren’s lapel? Dhiren, by presenting you with this certificate of membership, I welcome you, on behalf of the entire membership, into the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.”
A new member for our club means new ideas, new enthusiasm, greater fellowship—and greater service.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46 every Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. If you are interested in joining our dedicated volunteers, join us for breakfast. For additional information you can email Frank Cahill at flcahill@parsippanykwianis.org.
PARSIPPANY — The United Parcel Service building is complete at 10 Upper Pond Road and employees have been moving into the new four-story building since August.
UPS broke ground on its new construction on February 15, 2016 and excavators were at work on the 20-acre site off Cherry Hill Road. The four-story building is outfitted with enhanced communications systems to connect UPS technologists and business units around the world.
The entrance is located in the parking lot from rear of the building
The building will house about 1,000 of 15,000 UPS employees in New Jersey, most of them coming from a facility in Paramus that will be vacated.
Benjamin Swanson, Information Services, said “We are already enjoying our location. We thank the support we received from the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. We are looking forward to a long relationship with the Township.”
The Christie administration helped pave the way to keep UPS in the Garden State with a New Jersey Economic Development Authority “Grow New Jersey” grant of $40 million covering 10 years. Other large Morris County employers have received similar incentives, including $40 million in tax incentives to Honeywell Corp. in 2013 when it announced a move from its longtime Morris Township headquarters; it moved to Morris Plains instead of leaving the state.
Andy Dotterweich
“We have a lot of great talent here in New Jersey and we want to retain that talent,” said Andy Dotterweich, senior vice president of technology at UPS. Consolidating software operations into a state-of-the-art facility will help to do that, he added. UPS employs more than 4,500 technology workers worldwide.
Some of the applications that have been developed in-house for UPS by developers in New Jersey include UPS My Choice, UPS CampusShip, UPS WorldShip and visibility tools such as UPS Tracking.
New Jersey coders also supported the development of UPS Package Flow Technologies, the company’s suite of solutions that has streamlined UPS’s scanning, automated sorting, driver dispatching and load-assist processes throughout its integrated delivery network.
“We also have a lot of projects related to telematics. …We have sensors on our trucks that allow us to manage our fleet more efficiently,” Dotterweich told us. “We can keep track of idle time and gas mileage. It’s all in an effort to reduce mileage. As an example, our telematics project cut over 280 million minutes of idle time in 2014, which is about two million gallons worth of fuel.
“We also have project ORION, which is a progressive way to manage drivers’ routes to make sure they are efficient. It will be managed out of the Parsippany location,” he added.
ORION, or “On-Road Integrated Optimization and Navigation,” uses fleet telematics and advanced algorithms to gather and calculate data to provide UPS drivers with optimized routes, according to a UPS backgrounder. The technology helps UPS drivers determine the optimal way to deliver and pick up packages within a set of stops defined by a start time, commit time, pickup windows and special customer needs. The system relies on online map data, customized by UPS, to calculate miles and travel times in order to plan the most cost-effective routes. ORION is expected to be implemented in 2017.
The building is located at 10 Upper Pond Road. Parsippany is already home to a gigantic UPS warehouse and customer center at 799 Jefferson Road.
The new building is located at 10 Upper Pond RoadGroundbreaking ceremony at the new UPS Technology Development Center held in March 2016
Paul Carifi, Mrs. Ginny Hendrickson and Tyler and Jonathan Carifi. Mrs. Hendrickson was Paul Carifi's fourth grade teacher
Jaclyn Carifi, Jonathan and Tyler Carifi
The cooks: Rob Koegler and Ardien Birth
Nick Jannarone, Fred Amato, Joe Jannarone, Jr. and Jim Torsiello
Jamaal Parker and Jaclyn Carifi
Rescue and Recovery Jack Giannetti, Chief Louis Yuliano and Parsippany Mayor-elect Michael Soriano
PARSIPPANY — For the many people that stopped by Lake Parsippany Fire House on Sunday, November 26 for the “Ladies Auxiliary 14th Annual Pancake Breakfast” they had the opportunity to eat delicious homemade pancakes, sausage and more … bagels, cream cheese, butter, coffee, tea and even orange juice. All you could eat for just $6.00 or less.
The following businesses and individuals contributed to the event: Annabella’s Restaurant, Anthony Francos Pizza, Baldwin Pizzeria, Cerbo Lumber and Hardware, Cinepolis Theatre, Empire Diner, Fail Safe Fire Hose Testing, Fusha Sushi Bar, Great Wasu, Greenhills Pharmacy, Habit Burger, Houlihan’s, IHOP, Longhorn Steakhouse, Mama Louisa’s Italian Deli, Mayor James Barberio, McDonald’s, Nail Passion, Outback Steakhouse, Palermo’s Pizza, Parsippany Best Pizza, Pep Boys, Pro-Haircutters, Quick Chek, Seoul Food, Shear Creations, Stop & Shop, Vincent Ferrara and Family, and Wegman’s.
Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 3 is located at 255 Halsey Road.
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 3 Fire Line Officers: Chief: Matthew Topolewski III; Deputy Chief: Thomas Strunck; Captain: Bill Bigleshouse; 1st Lieutenant: Russell Prokop; 2nd Lieutenant: Matthew Topolewski Jr.; Safety Officer: Rob Koegler; and Safety Officer: Ben Berkman;
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 3 Company Board: President: Arden Birth; Vice President: Andy Baum; Secretary: Bob Keller; Treasurer: Ken Nolan; Financial Secretary: Rob Koegler and Sergeant At Arms: Jonathan Earl.
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 3 Ladies Auxiliary: President: Diane Ritz; Vice President: Cindy Barilla; Secretary: Lynne Yaccorino; Treasurer: Barbara Birth; Financial Secretary: Dee Delgrosso and Sergeant At Arms: Jane Fenske.
Board of Fire Commissioners: Robert Yeager, President; Clarence Ricker, Vice President; Darryl Jenkins, Secretary; John Butkus, Clerk; and Gabriel Yaccorino, Treasurer.
Lake Parsippany Fire Department is always looking for volunteers to join: Seniors 18 years and older; Juniors 16 to 18 years old. Stop in for an application on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. or call (973) 887-9071 and leave a message.
PARSIPPANY — For nearly 130 years, the American Red Cross has provided comfort and support to members of the United States military. This holiday season, members of the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey Board of Directors aim to help make the holidays brighter for those who have served, and continue to serve, our country.
Board members coordinated a collection of items for the troops through the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces Adopt-A-Unit Campaign and invited family members and co-workers to get involved. The collection of items includes personal care items, playing cards and puzzles, and an array of comfort foods like granola bars, pretzels, cocoa, coffee, individual packages of sugar, and candies.
UPS participated in “Comfort of Home” packages to military members serving overseas. The collection was from Monday, November 6 to Friday, December 1. UPS had collection points set up in their Mahwah, Wayne and Parsippany campuses.
On Saturday, December 2, Board members from American Red Cross, their co-workers and families was at the United Parcel Services Innovation Center, 10 Upper Pond Road, sorting donated items and packing “Comforts of Home” care packages to be sent to military members serving overseas this holiday. Participants also wrote cards of thanks, encouragement and holiday cheer to be delivered to veterans in New Jersey and added to the care packages.
Other companies participating in “Comforts of Home” were Verizon, United Parcel Service, Jersey Central Power and Light, Public Service Electric and Gas, Audio Visual Resources, and Nisivoccia.
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Council Vice President Robert Peluso at "Adopt A Unit" program
UPS employee Gail Verderese filling up boxes for the troops
American Red Cross - Serving the Military, Veterans and Their Families
Many of the items collected and will be sent to the troops
Seven year old Lily Kane packing items to be sent to military members serving overseas
Many of the items collected and will be sent to the troops
Many of the items collected and will be sent to the troops
Many of the items collected and will be sent to the troops
Dear Editor:
