The American Cancer Society is seeking volunteers to help plan the upcoming Relay for Life of Central Morris County which will take place on May 31 and June 1 at Smith Field. From organizing teams, to entertainment planning, to fundraising, there are many different ways to get involved and help make this cancer’s last century.

As the world’s largest grassroots fundraising program, the Relay for Life movement mobilizes friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, service organizations, and faith based groups in communities throughout the country, to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and provide everyone an opportunity to fight back against the disease.

To join the Relay for Life of Central Morris County as a volunteer, team captain, or participant, and to learn more about the program please join us on January 15 (snow date January 16) for a dessert reception at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road. The kick off event will teach you about relay and also honor cancer survivors so come out and join the fun.

Please RSVP by January 5, 2014 to brandie.engelberger@cancer.org or call (973) 285-8029.

The 85-voice Morris Choral Society kicks off its Concert Season with the tenth Holiday Spectacular at the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum on Friday, December 13 with a second performance on Sunday, December 15. Under the direction of Wayne Walters, the chorus will perform “Christmas: Broadway to Hollywood,” featuring show-stoppers and holiday favorites from Broadway Musicals and Movies.

Parsippany Sheraton Client Appreciation and Holiday Party was a huge success. Employees and clients brought pajamas and books which were donated to the Pajama Program.  The Pajama Program provides comfort and love in the way of new pajamas and new books to children-in-need, many waiting and hoping to be adopted.  Snuggling up in new, warm pajamas with their very own book to read gives lonely children a secure and nuturing bedtime environment. Pictured above is  Scott M. Behm,  Director of Sales & Marketing, Parsippany Sheraton Hotel, Doris Newman and Antoinette Van Wyck from the local chapter of Pajama Program, and  John DeHuff, Director of Catering, Parsippany Sheraton Hotel.

Many of these children have been abused or abandoned, and have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a mother or father tuck them in with a story at bedtime. For information on the Pajama Program visit www.pajamaprogram.org.

Positively Healthy in Morristown!

The Pita Grill located at 27 South Street in the business district of Morristown is set to have a grand opening and ribbon cutting at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, December 14.

Joining in the celebration will be the mayor of Morristown, Tim Dougherty, along with other dignitaries and the owners. A Pita Grill T-Shirt will be given away to the first 100 customers.

Owned and operated by a partnership group based in New York City and Hoboken, this particular Pita Grill will be the 7th to exist.

The décor inside of the restaurant has a rustic look with its unique imported wood from Vermont giving it a classy appearance. They offer full service as well as takeout and free delivery. The towns which they deliver to are Morristown, Morris Township, Morris Plains, Cedar Knolls, Florham Park, Harding Twp., and any town in the Morris county area for a catering order only. The hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., 7 days a week.

The menu provides a healthier option to dining with all of the items being made fresh daily. All of the selections stem from Mediterranean roots with an American flare. Some of the choices are Paninis, pitas, salads, platters and many dips and spreads.

Everything is a healthier alternative for those whom like to eat delicious meats and more while keeping a balanced diet. You can visit their website here to take a look at their menu.

Gourmet Cooking in the Wild: Calzone

Brooklawn Middle School  holds it’s annual B.I.G Night. This is day 2

Senator Joe Pennacchio announced today that $6.2 million in state funding has been approved to support $15.5 million in school construction projects across the 26th District. The funding approved by the Christie Administration will go to support projects in 10 school districts throughout the 26th District.

“This funding will be put to good use making schools across the district a safer and better place for students and teachers alike,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris, Passaic and Essex). “I thank the Governor for this investment in our students and communities.

These projects will add jobs and go a long way in helping districts meet the needs of all students.”

The funds awarded in the 26th District are part of a total $507.7 million in state funds to help fund the cost of 1,538 individual school construction projects in 331 school districts throughout the state and Parsippany will get $874,579 (state share of cost) for the total project cost of $2,186,448.

The grants represent at least 40 percent of eligible costs for projects and address health and safety issues, student overcrowding and other critical needs. The grants are contingent on local approval of the remaining cost to school districts.

Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills and Mayor Jamie Barberio hosted the Lighting of the Menorah in celebration of Hanukkah on Tuesday night and welcomed Rabbi Baumgarten and Rabbi Herson from the Chabad Center of Northwest NJ, Rabbi Shalom Lubin from Congregation Shaya Ahvat Torah, Rabbi Howard Kosovske and Cantor Inna Serebro-Litvak from Temple Beth Am and Rabbi Moshe Rudin from Adath Shalom.

Also present were Council President Brian Stanton, Council Vice President Vincent Ferrara, Councilman Jonathan Nelson, Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.

Video-on-the-go filmed the event.

Brooklawn Middle School holds it’s annual B.I.G Night.

Watch Parsippany honor their veterans with this annual Ceremony at The Veterans Memorial Park

Mayor James Barberio presented a plaque and announced a proclamation to Umberto and Luisa Carluccio for their 50th wedding anniversary. Council Vice President Vincent Ferrara presented a certificate to the Carluccios on behalf of the Township council at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 26.

The Proclamation read:

Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Proclamation

Whereas, Umberto Carluccio of Conzadella Compania and Luisa Marano of Monteforte were united in marriage on August 11, 1963 and are celebrating their 50th anniversary; and

Whereas, Umberto and Luisa met through friends in Switzerland where they worked in a clothing factory – she sewing pants and he as a tailor; and

Whereas, Mr. and Mrs. Carluccio came to the United States in 1967 where they first settled in an apartment in Roselle and later bought a home in Hillside, moving to Union and then Parsippany where they now reside; and

Whereas, over the course of their marriage, Umberto and Luisa have raised a beautiful and loving family of two children, Maria Luigia and Eberto and two grandchildren, Giovanni and Brielle, who have brought them immense joy and pleasure; and

Whereas, August 11, 2013 marked their golden wedding anniversary of Umberto and Luisa Carluccio and is an important milestone in their lives marking fifty years of love, devotion and mutual support that enable them to be the strong, loving couple they are and the good friends and caring neighbors they have been to so many throughout the years.

Now, therefore, I, James R. Barberio, Mayor of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, do hereby offer my heartfelt congratulations to Umberto and Luisa Carluccio on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary and extend to them and their family every good wish for success, health and continued happiness in the years to come.

Dated this twenty-sixth day of November, 2013.

James R. Barberio, Mayor.

Help us raise $450 for new basketball equipment!

The Parsippany Hills girls basketball program needs your help. Please help our mission of purchasing new team gear by purchasing a t-shirt for $20. All funds will go directly to the team. Thank you for supporting girls athletics.

For additional questions, email hillsladyviking@aol.com.  Shirts will ship approximately two weeks after campaign end date.

Click here for link to purchase.

Twins Nicholas and  Joseph Cucinella, age five, from Lake Parsippany, meets Santa at the 1st Annual Tree Lighting at the home of The Sempier’s on Allentown Road.  The tree was a wedding gift to the Sempier’s in 1984 and grew to this big beautiful tall tree.  The tree holds 6,200 LED lights.  The event included the arrival of Santa Claus and free hot chocolate for everyone. The Sempier’s rented a cherry-picker to be able to reach the top of the tree. Pictured below is Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, William Sempier, Dawn Sempier, Santa, Zach and Josh Sempier.