PARSIPPANY — Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 of Parsippany-Morris County invites the community to its 11th Annual Beefsteak Dinner on Saturday, November 14, at the Bloomingdale Firehouse, 97 Hamburg Turnpike, Bloomingdale. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $75.00 and include tap beer, soda and coffee. A cash bar will be available for wine and liquor. The evening will also feature door prizes and raffles.
This year’s entertainment features comedian Kevin Dombrowski, a fixture of the New York comedy circuit known for his fiery, animated style and sharp crowd work. A headliner who tours comedy clubs and colleges across the country, Dombrowski has appeared on The Wendy Williams Show, DirecTV’s The Artie Lange Show and in viral Geico commercials. He has shared the stage with comedians Colin Quinn and Carlos Mencia.
Tickets may be purchased through Venmo at @SOI-Morris, or by mailing payment to Sons of Italy, in care of Mike Zambito, 11 Harrison Road, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054. Please include the names of all attendees and an email address for confirmation.
Club President Frank Cahill welcomes Dr. Trivikrama Reddy as the newest member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.
PARSIPPANY — Dr. Trivikrama Reddy has joined the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. He was sponsored by Club President Frank Cahill.
Dr. Reddy and his wife, Suneetha, have called Parsippany home for the past 12 years and have raised their two children, Nayanasree and Keyura, in the Parsippany school system. He is a Senior Staff Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the medical technology industry, holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration, and is the inventor or co-inventor of 15 engineering patents.
For the past eight years, Dr. Reddy has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he teaches and mentors future engineers and has been nominated multiple times for the university’s Excellence in Teaching Award. He received his employer Becton, Dickinson and Company’s inaugural Community Excellence Award for global community impact, including efforts that helped bring clean drinking water to underserved communities.
Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. Its mission is to empower communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children. Kiwanis members volunteer their time and talents through hands-on service projects, fundraisers and youth programs that support schools, families and local organizations.
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is part of that worldwide network, bringing together residents and business leaders who share a commitment to serving the children and families of Parsippany-Troy Hills and the surrounding area.
For information on joining the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, email [email protected] or call (973) 559-6000.
Coach Brock and his coaching staff alongside Parsippany High School players, celebrating a hard-fought 6-0 homecoming victory over Hopatcong. Shot by Ryan Cobeo
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School celebrated homecoming with a 6-0 victory over Hopatcong on Friday night, as the Redhawks’ defense delivered a complete shutout and survived a dramatic goal-line stand in the closing moments.
In a game where every yard mattered, Parsippany’s offense broke through for the only touchdown of the night. Jake Behnke came up with a huge catch that moved the Redhawks down the field and set up Shane Petzinger for the game’s lone touchdown.
With six points on the board, the defense took care of the rest.
Jake Behnke and Shane Petzinger celebrate the touchdown that secured Parsippany High School’s 6-0 homecoming victory over Hopatcong. Shot by Ryan Cobeo
Parsippany repeatedly shut down Hopatcong throughout the night, keeping the Chiefs scoreless and making the Redhawks’ narrow lead hold up. The defense saved its biggest stand for the final moments.
Hopatcong drove all the way to the Parsippany 2-yard line with a chance to tie the game, putting the Redhawks’ shutout and homecoming victory in jeopardy.
Parsippany High School football players stand together during their homecoming game against Hopatcong. From left: K’ahmori Cotto, Victor Ivanoski, Bryan Mata, Ryan Stitou, Kenan Mansur, Pavle Ugljesa, Pruthvi Sheyte, Jaylen Taylor, Mason Alameda, Andre Aquino, Chris Kelly, Vincent D’Accardi, and Shane Petzinger. Shot by Ryan Cobeo
That was when the home crowd became a factor.
With Parsippany fans making as much noise as possible near the goal line, Hopatcong was called for a false start, pushing the Chiefs backward at a critical moment. The Redhawks’ defense then finished the job, keeping Hopatcong out of the end zone and sealing the 6-0 victory.
Jake Behnke lines up during Parsippany High School’s 6-0 homecoming victory over Hopatcong. Behnke made a crucial catch that set up Shane Petzinger’s game-winning touchdown. Shot by Ryan Cobeo
It was a fitting finish to a game that required contributions from everyone. Jake’s catch helped create Parsippany’s scoring opportunity, Shane finished the drive with the touchdown, the defense refused to give up a point, and the homecoming crowd made its presence felt when the game came down to its final defensive stand.
On homecoming night, Parsippany’s offense, defense, and crowd all came together when the Redhawks needed them most.
With the homecoming victory, Parsippany High School improves to 4-3 on the season. The Redhawks will look to build on their momentum when they travel to face Boonton (5-1) on Friday, October 16, at 6:30 p.m
Author’s Note:Special thanks to Pruthvi Sheyte and Harrison Gordon for providing game information, key plays, and additional details that helped make this article possible, and to Ryan Cobeo for his photography. For more of Ryan’s work, follow @ryanc.media on Instagram.
Copyright 2026 Zoomus Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission from the publisher.
Remote Works Founder and President Stephen Sannicandro joins Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Pulkit Desai, Economic Development Advisory Committee Chairman Frank Cahill, and other local dignitaries and community members to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 Entin Road in Parsippany.
PARSIPPANY — Remote Works®, a flexible workspace and commercial real estate company, celebrated the grand opening of its new Parsippany location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 8, at 7 Entin Road.
The event, held in partnership with the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce and Parsippany Community Professionals, marked the opening of the company’s flagship workspace, designed for remote professionals, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and companies seeking alternatives to traditional office leases.
The facility features fully furnished private offices, conference rooms, open workspaces, a podcast studio, a café, and an art gallery, bringing several workplace amenities together under one roof.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Pulkit Desai delivers remarks congratulating Remote Works founder Stephen Sannicandro on the grand opening of his company’s new location at 7 Entin Road in Parsippany.
“We’re not necessarily trying to reinvent the office. We’re rethinking how people use it,” said Remote Works Founder and President Stephen M. Sannicandro.
Sannicandro began developing the Remote Works concept in 2017, before remote and hybrid work became widespread. Drawing on his background in commercial real estate development, construction, and project management, he envisioned a business that could serve both professionals seeking flexible workspace and property owners looking to modernize existing office buildings.
Building the company came with challenges. Sannicandro said Remote Works has been largely self-funded, requiring years of investment in technology, partnerships, and business infrastructure.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated demand for remote work, but also brought uncertainty to the commercial real estate industry. Since then, Sannicandro said businesses have increasingly sought professional meeting environments, reliable technology, privacy, and flexibility without long-term lease commitments.
“I think the market has moved beyond the question of whether remote work is here to stay. The bigger question now is how we create better environments to support it,” Sannicandro said.
With Parsippany’s established commercial real estate market and business community, Sannicandro sees an opportunity for Remote Works to support local entrepreneurs while bringing new activity into existing office buildings.
“Ultimately, if Remote Works helps a local entrepreneur launch a company, a small business grow, or an existing property become more productive, then we’re accomplishing what we set out to do,” he said.
Parsippany Economic Development Advisory Committee Chairman Frank Cahill congratulates Remote Works founder Stephen Sannicandro on the grand opening of his company’s new Parsippany location.
The company is already evaluating an expansion of approximately 9,000 additional square feet at 7 Entin Road, which would bring the overall facility to roughly 17,000 square feet. Remote Works is also exploring partnerships with commercial property owners and investors to establish additional locations.
For Sannicandro, the opening represents years of work bringing together his experience in real estate, construction, technology, and creativity. A longtime musician and songwriter, he said building Remote Works has allowed him to combine his professional background with his creative interests.
“What people see today at 7 Entin Road is the result of years of work, relationships, and a lot of talented people coming together,” Sannicandro said. “And while I’m proud of what we’ve built, I still view this as the beginning.”
Remote Works is located at 7 Entin Road, Parsippany. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit RemoteWorksLife.com or call (973) 957-7515.
Rajvi Shah, a junior at Morris County School of Technology, earned a perfect ACT Composite score of 36.
MORRIS COUNTY — Rajvi Shah, a junior at Morris County School of Technology, earned the highest possible ACT Composite score of 36 on the ACT test.
About one-quarter of 1% of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In last year’s high school graduating class in the United States, only 2,958 out of more than 1.38 million students who took the ACT earned a top Composite score of 36.
The ACT consists of section tests in English, math and reading, each scored on a scale of 1 to 36, as well as optional science and writing tests. The ACT Composite score is the average of the English, math and reading test scores. The scores for the optional science and writing tests are reported separately and are not included in the ACT Composite score.
“Earning a top score of 36 on the ACT is a significant accomplishment that signals a student’s readiness for the challenges ahead,” said ACT Chief Executive Officer Steve Tapp. “It opens doors to their future and is an achievement we’re proud to celebrate.”
The ACT test is a curriculum-based achievement exam that measures what students should have had the opportunity to learn in school. Students who earn a top Composite score have demonstrated mastery of the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in first-year college courses in the core subject areas.
Students who earn a 36 Composite score have met all four of the ACT College Ready Benchmarks, meaning they have a 50% chance of earning a B or higher in related first-year, credit-bearing college courses and a 75% chance of earning a C or better in those courses. ACT data show that students in college who have met at least three ACT benchmarks are more than twice as likely to graduate on time as students who have met none.
ACT test scores are accepted by major four-year colleges and universities across the United States, and they are one of the many criteria that inform admissions, scholarship awards and course placement decisions.
About ACT
ACT is transforming college and career readiness pathways so that everyone can discover and fulfill their potential. Grounded in more than 65 years of research, ACT’s learning resources, assessments, research and work-ready credentials are trusted by students, job seekers, educators, schools, government agencies and employers in the United States and around the world to help people achieve their education and career goals at every stage of life. For more information, visit act.org.
PARSIPPANY — The Indian-American Seniors Association of Morris County will hold its Annual Diwali Function, “A Festival of Lights, Joy and Togetherness,” on Sunday, October 18, from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Drive, Morris Plains.
The featured main artist is Nitin Kumar, known from Indian Idol Season 10, performing an evening of Bollywood and devotional music. Guests can also enjoy a gala dinner and live Bollywood music with an Indian orchestra.
Tickets are $35.00 per person. All are welcome, including members, families and friends.
Every Dollar Store, 480 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha
Tickets may also be paid for with Zelle to [email protected]; please include your name with the payment. The recipient may appear as Indian-American Seniors Association. Tickets can also be purchased through Sulekha.com.
For more information or sponsorship and booth opportunities, contact Rajni Patel, Chairman, at (973) 615-5225, or Vishnu Patel, President, at (201) 887-2942.
Ross Dress for Less staff and guests celebrate the ribbon cutting at the new Ross store in the Troy Hills Shopping Center on Saturday, October 10.
PARSIPPANY — Ross Dress for Less opened its doors on Saturday, October 10. Located at 1099 Route 46 in the Troy Hills Shopping Center, the 24,702-square-foot Ross occupies the former Michaels location that closed earlier this year.
Ross joins other major stores in the shopping center, including Target (65,106 square feet), Floor and Decor (61,121 square feet) and Petco (14,806 square feet).
Since 1982, the focus has been on bringing our customers a constant stream of high-quality department and specialty store brands at extraordinary savings (aka bargains) while providing an easy, fun, and organized shopping experience.”
Highlighting their value proposition, the company notes:
Purchasing Power: As the nation’s largest off-price retail chain, Ross leverages its scale to secure major savings.
Savvy Sourcing: Buyers search the globe and negotiate directly with manufacturers for the best brands and styles.
No Frills: By skipping costly window displays, mannequins, fancy fixtures, and elaborate decorations, savings are passed directly to customers.
Fresh Inventory: A streamlined supply chain delivers new deals to stores nearly every day.
Headquartered in Dublin, California, Ross Stores, Inc. operates 1,917 Ross Dress for Less stores in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, along with 366 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores in 23 states. The company plans to open about 110 new stores this year. Prior to the Parsippany opening, the closest Ross locations were at 327 Mount Hope Avenue in Rockaway Township and at the ITC Crossing South Shopping Center on Route 46 in Flanders.
Store Hours:
Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight)
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Athletic League (PAL) hosted Nonprofit Power Day on Thursday, October 8, bringing together nonprofit leaders, community organizations, and local professionals for an afternoon of education and networking.
The event was held at the PAL facility on Baldwin Road and was organized in partnership with Ion Bank, the Ion Bank Foundation, and Metro MSP.
Sessions focused on challenges facing nonprofit organizations, including grant funding, organizational sustainability, cybersecurity, leadership development, and long-term resilience.
Featured speakers were Bob Michie of Metro MSP, Dennis Miller of Dennis C. Miller, and Todd Smith of Todd Smith Consulting. Each shared strategies to help nonprofits strengthen their operations and better serve their communities.
The idea for the event came from Andrew Karpinecz, Relationship Manager at Ion Bank, who coordinated the program with the PAL and its partners.
“Events like Nonprofit Power Day represent exactly what we are working to accomplish at the Parsippany PAL,” said Nicholas Bronzino, Executive Director of the Parsippany Police Athletic League. “Our mission extends beyond athletics and youth programming. We want to be a place where community organizations, nonprofits, and local leaders can come together, build relationships, and support one another. I want to personally thank Andrew Karpinecz and our partners at Ion Bank for bringing this vision to life. We’re proud to have hosted this event and look forward to building on its success.”
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Pulkit Desai also attended the event.
In addition to the presentations, attendees enjoyed lunch, networking, and raffle giveaways.
The PAL and its partners are already exploring plans for another event to continue offering educational and networking opportunities for nonprofit organizations in the region.
“Strong communities are built through strong partnerships,” Bronzino added. “This is just the beginning. We want the Parsippany PAL to continue serving as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and opportunities that benefit our entire community.”
The Parsippany Police Athletic League is located on Baldwin Road in Parsippany.
Copyright 2026 Zoomus Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission from the publisher.
Kindness Pumpkins decorated by the Central Middle School Builders Club line the front of the school in honor of Respect Week.
PARSIPPANY — In honor of Respect Week, the Builders Club at Central Middle School decorated the front of the school with Kindness Pumpkins.
The festive display greets students, staff and visitors as they arrive at the school, spreading a message of kindness and respect throughout the week.
“These students continue to show us what leadership looks like,” said Frank Cahill, President of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. “The Kindness Pumpkins are a simple but powerful reminder that respect starts with each of us. Every person who walks through those doors this week is greeted with a message that they matter. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is proud to sponsor a group of young people who put kindness into action and make their school a better place for everyone.”
Builders Club is a student-led service organization for middle school students, sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, that focuses on leadership, character building and community service.
PARSIPPANY — The Community of St. Ann Church will host its 15th annual Fall Festival, Ministry and Craft Fair on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14.
The festival will run from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church, 781 Smith Road. Admission is free.
The fair will feature 44 vendor tables, including Simply All U, Mary Kay, and Stitching Queens, offering a variety of new and handmade crafts and products.
Visitors can also explore ministry opportunities, shop a bake sale, and take part in a 50/50 raffle. Tricky trays and 75-bottle wine cork pulls will be held on both days.
Orders will also be taken for Christmas greenery during the festival.
The Community of St. Ann Church is located at 781 Smith Road in Parsippany.
Copyright 2026 Zoomus Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission from the publisher.
Retired Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Michael Filippello, who served the department for 34 years, including 18 as Chief of Police.
PARSIPPANY — Retired Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Michael Filippello, badge number 243, who led the department for 18 years, died peacefully on Thursday, October 8. He was 82.
Filippello joined the department as a patrol officer on April 3, 1972. He later served as a detective in the Investigative Division and rose through the ranks to Detective Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Patrol Captain and Deputy Chief. He was appointed Chief of Police on February 11, 1988, and retired in June 2006 after 34 years of service to the Parsippany community.
Retired Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Michael Filippello, who served the department for 34 years, including 18 as Chief of Police.
Filippello was known as a champion of modernization who led the department through a period of significant advancement. Under his direction, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department in 1990 became the second municipal police department in New Jersey to earn accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
He also created the department’s Emergency Response Team and was a passionate advocate for training. He focused on getting officers trained and believed in cross-training them across job functions, building a more capable and versatile department.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with retired Chief Filippello’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of serving alongside him,” the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department said in a statement. “His leadership and legacy will not be forgotten.”
Mayor Pulkit Desai and Frank Cahill, Chairman of Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development, join the owners and staff of O’Bagel for a ribbon cutting hosted by Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development, celebrating the shop’s grand opening at District 15Fifteen. O’Bagel opened on Saturday, September 12.
PARSIPPANY — Discover Strength, Kura Sushi, JetSet Pilates and O’Bagel are now open for business at District 15Fifteen on Route 10, joining a rapidly growing retail lineup that now includes newly signed leases with Spencer Savings Bank (2,603 square feet) and Dhaba Indian Restaurant (1,834 square feet). Dhaba fills the property’s final food and beverage location.
O’Bagel officially opened on Saturday, September 12.
Spencer Savings Bank will be relocating to District 15Fifteen from its current Parsippany branch at 1699 Littleton Road.
Stanbery Development Group, Claremont Development and PCCP LLC are the developers of District 15Fifteen, a full-scale mixed-use town center that includes three luxury apartment buildings, restaurant, retail, health and beauty tenants and a hotel. Pierson Commercial Real Estate is the exclusive leasing agent for the 58,600-square-foot retail component of the pedestrian- and pet-friendly destination.
According to Marc Hays of Stanbery Development Group, several more businesses are expected to open over the next eight weeks, including Burtons Grill and Bar, Mediterranean restaurant Al-Basha, Moxie Salon and Beauty Bar and The Yard Gym. Burtons Grill and Bar will officially open on Tuesday, October 20.
Burtons Grill and Bar serves an all-day menu of American dishes made from scratch, including shareable appetizers, salads, fresh seafood, steaks and classic entrées. Signature items include crab-crusted haddock, a lobster roll, a burger made with Allen Brothers Angus beef and a seven-layer chocolate cake. The restaurant is known for accommodating food allergies and dietary preferences, with an extensive gluten-free menu. The bar serves wine, craft beer, cocktails and mocktails.
A few storefronts remain available for boutique services and experiential concepts, such as specialized beauty services, a lash studio, a waxing studio or a massage studio.
“The velocity of retail leasing at District 15Fifteen reflects strong market demand for exciting retail and restaurant users,” said Scott Starkman of Pierson Commercial Real Estate. “We’ve focused on curating a balanced mix of daily-needs services, boutique fitness and high-caliber dining. Securing our final restaurant space is a major milestone that rounds out our food and beverage offering, with a few select, premium storefronts still available for select lifestyle service uses.”
To bring more visitors to its businesses, District 15Fifteen is hosting events in its central town square this fall. In partnership with Brilliant Conventions, The Artisan Market at District 15Fifteen will be held on Sundays, October 11 and October 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The market features more than 30 vendors, food trucks and live music from Jeff Slate and Friends.
“Our retail partners are a huge part of what sets District 15Fifteen apart,” said Yessica Campuzano, property manager at District 15Fifteen. “With grand openings rolling out all fall and our exciting event schedule, I’m so excited for our residents, and the greater Parsippany community, to step outside and discover something new right at their doorstep. This collaboration is bringing our vision for a vibrant town center to life.”
Residential leasing also continues to build on the momentum of Smyth, the property’s first residential building with 262 units. Mason East, a luxury active adult community for residents age 55 and older, and Mason, which offers studio to two-bedroom residences with immediate move-ins, are now welcoming residents. The communities’ parking garage is also fully operational.
Parsippany Focus will cover the upcoming openings and ribbon-cutting ceremonies at District 15Fifteen, including Burtons Grill and Bar with a private ceremony.
Caption: Parsippany Hills’ Dante Gutierrez, who scored the Vikings’ lone touchdown, stands on the field during the team’s 17-13 loss to Morris Hills.
Parsippany Hills Falls to Morris Hills, 17-13
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills suffered a narrow 17-13 loss to Morris Hills on Thursday, October 8, in a closely contested matchup at Parsippany Hills High School.
The Vikings entered the game with a 4-2 record, coming off consecutive victories over Sparta and West Milford. Morris Hills entered the matchup at 5-1.
Dante Gutierrez scored a touchdown for Parsippany Hills, while Logan Wilson added another score after recovering a blocked punt and returning it 14 yards for a touchdown.
Kicker Ben Ferrante converted the extra point following Wilson’s touchdown, helping the Vikings finish with 13 points.
Despite the two touchdowns, Parsippany Hills fell four points short, as Morris Hills secured the 17-13 victory.
The loss dropped Parsippany Hills to 4-3 on the season, while Morris Hills improved to 6-1.
The Vikings will look to bounce back against Orange on Saturday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m.
Author’s Note:Special thanks to Aarnav Sinha and Sameer Dhode for providing game information and additional details from the matchup.
Correction (October 13, 2026):An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that Ben Ferrante made two field goals. Logan Wilson scored on a 14-yard blocked punt return, followed by a successful extra-point kick by Ferrante. The article has been updated to reflect the correct scoring details.
Copyright 2026 Zoomus Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission from the publisher.
PARSIPPANY — All seven candidates running for three seats on the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education faced voters on Wednesday, October 7, at the Parsippany School Board Candidates Night at Parsippany High School.
The event, sponsored by the Parsippany PTAs, gave residents the chance to hear directly from the candidates on the issues facing Parsippany schools. Questions were submitted in advance by members of the community.
The candidates will appear on the Tuesday, November 3 ballot in the following order:
Wendy Wright — “Students, Teachers, Families.”
Nicole DellaFave — “Parent. Educator. Logical”
Timothy Berrios — “Selfless Public Service”
Jack Raia — “Selfless Public Service”
Jaya Trivedi — “Vision Learning Success”
Trivikrama Reddy — “Vision Learning Success”
Akshay Pujara — “Vision Learning Success”
For residents who could not attend, Parsippany Focus has posted the full video of the forum below.
Voters can also read each candidate’s answers to the Parsippany Focus candidate questionnaire before heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3 by clicking here.
Members of the Sons of Italy accept a proclamation from Mayor Pulkit Desai declaring October as Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month in Parsippany-Troy Hills, during the Township Council meeting on Tuesday, October 6.
PARSIPPANY — Mayor Pulkit Desai presented the Sons of Italy with a proclamation on Tuesday, October 6, declaring October as Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
The proclamation celebrates the heritage, history, traditions and achievements of Italian Americans and their lasting contributions to the United States. It notes that generations of Italian immigrants came to the country seeking opportunity and a better life, bringing “a strong devotion to family, community, faith, hard work, and civic responsibility, values that continue to enrich communities throughout our nation.”
The proclamation recognizes Italian Americans’ contributions to business, education, government, science, medicine, law, the arts, athletics, public service and the United States Armed Forces. It also honors the influence of Italian figures such as Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei and Antonio Vivaldi, along with Italian Americans including former New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi and baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.
The document also points out that New Jersey is home to one of the largest Italian-American populations in the country. It says the heritage, traditions, businesses, organizations and community involvement of Italian Americans “remain an important part of the cultural fabric of our state and of communities such as Parsippany–Troy Hills.”
In the proclamation, Desai encouraged all residents “to join in celebrating the rich history, culture, traditions, and achievements of Italian Americans and in recognizing their enduring contributions to our Township, our State, and our Nation.”
Mayor Pulkit Desai and Sons of Italy will be raising the Italian Flag at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard on Monday, October 12 at 5:00 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — Brooklawn Middle School celebrated the opening of its student-run BMS Community Pantry with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 30.
Brooklawn Middle School student Prathiksha Thintukkal Thiagarajan cut the ribbon alongside Mayor Pulkit Desai.
The pantry is run entirely by students in the school’s Multiple Disabilities self-contained classes and coordinated by special education teachers Greg Espinosa and Angela Zinnes. It provides food and hygiene items to students and families experiencing hardship.
The program is part of the students’ job readiness and life skills curriculum. Under staff guidance, they organize inventory, stock shelves, prepare food bags and track supplies, gaining real-world work experience along the way.
The pantry provides food and hygiene items to students whenever a need arises during the school day. It also prepares Friday Food Bags for selected students to help with meals over weekends and school breaks.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Pulkit Desai, Economic Development Advisory Committee Chairman Frank L. Cahill, Brooklawn Middle School special education teachers Greg Espinosa and Angela Zinnes, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Chase pose inside the newly established BMS Community Pantry.
Principal Carly Stout has called the pantry an officially approved initiative of the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District that operates with her full support.
Several local organizations have already stepped up to support the pantry. The Parsippany Elks donated $4,500, and the Parsippany Police Athletic League and the Sons of Italy also made donations.
The school continues to seek community support for the pantry. It accepts monetary donations, non-perishable food, personal hygiene products and gift cards to retailers such as ShopRite, Stop and Shop, Costco, Walmart, Target and Amazon. Checks can be made payable to Brooklawn Middle School – BMS Community Pantry. Sponsors will be recognized on the school’s Instagram account. The school also hopes to build ongoing partnerships with organizations willing to make an annual commitment.
To donate or become a community partner, contact Espinosa at [email protected], Zinnes at [email protected], or Brooklawn Middle School at (973) 428-7551.
I was at a loss for words when a woman spoke of the ICE abductions in Parsippany. The lady spoke during the October 6th town council meeting; it is well worth your time to watch her first hand account. I was dismayed to learn that our town, which I believe is overwhelmingly tolerant of all people, was the site of an ICE abduction. When armed and masked men take someone away without a warrant, I think the overwhelming majority of people consider that an abduction. We have all seen outrageous ICE roundups on television, most of which result in beatings and some tragic deaths. Until it happens in your town you do not feel as violated as you do when it hits close to home.
The woman, who was taking photos of the incident, was then verbally accosted by the ICE agents, most likely because she was documenting what was occurring. If these people are so proud of what they are doing, BE A MAN, and show us your face rather than hide behind a mask. Please do not give us the line that they are in fear of their lives since for the most part ICE agents rarely are assigned to their home state. You never see actual police wearing masks, do you? These virtually untrained hired vigilantes are acting out their little boy dreams of being the guy wearing the white hat in old western movies. Nothing could be further from the truth; these agents break the law every single day without hesitation. They know they will get a Presidential pardon before Trump leaves office just as the January 6th insurrectionists received. Who knows, with the lack of adequate vetting, which has been confirmed many times, some of the ICE agents may have been part of the insurrection mob that attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021; we will never know for sure.
There is going to be a No Kings march in Parsippany on October 17th. If you are interested in rebuking the actions of our out of control federal government, please attend.
By the way, you should consider removing biometric facial recognition and fingerprint software that opens your phone. No law enforcement agency can compel you to open your phone via a pin or pattern method without a court order. I mean a real court order, not the make believe ones ICE agents pretend are legal.
Lastly, do not forget to vote. We need to rescue our democracy while we still have one!
arsippany captain Christian Castaño, who scored both Redhawk goals against Roxbury in the second round of the Morris County Tournament. Shot by Nishchay Kochhar
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School’s run in the Morris County Tournament came to a painful end Tuesday afternoon as Roxbury scored in the final minute to hand the Redhawks a 3-2 second-round loss.
Parsippany entered the tournament as the No. 8 seed and opened county play with a dominant 5-0 victory over No. 25 Kinnelon. Roxbury, seeded ninth, earned its place in the second round after defeating Morris Catholic 7-0.
Tuesday’s matchup proved far tighter.
Captain Christian Castaño accounted for both Parsippany goals and was named Man of the Match after delivering one of his biggest performances of the season.
Sairam “Sai” Balaji was directly involved in both scoring opportunities. Sai assisted Christian on one goal and later drew a penalty, which Christian converted for his second goal of the match.
With the score tied 2-2 late, Parsippany appeared to have done enough to push the game beyond regulation. Instead, Roxbury found the decisive goal in the final minute, turning an evenly contested county tournament game into a devastating finish for the Redhawks.
The loss ends Parsippany’s Morris County Tournament run in the second round. The Redhawks had entered Tuesday with an 8-1 record after a strong opening stretch to the season.
Despite the result, Christian’s two-goal performance and Sai’s continued ability to create chances gave Parsippany positives to carry forward. One late goal ended the county tournament run, but it does not erase the strong start the Redhawks have put together this fall.
Parsippany will now have to put the loss behind it quickly. The Redhawks return to regular-season action against Dover on Friday, October 9, at 3:30 p.m.
While this is a heartbreaking loss, there is plenty of soccer left to play
Author’s Note:Special thanks to Ajay Rathinam and Christian Castaño for providing scoring details and additional information from the game. Special thanks to Nishchay Kochhar for providing photography from the match. More of his work can be found on Instagram at @nsk_flicks.
Copyright 2026 Zoomus Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission from the publisher.
