Drive By History: Jockey Hollow Viewing Party & Q&A with Ken Magos
MORRIS COUNTY — History fans can experience one of the most compelling chapters of the American Revolution on Tuesday, July 14, at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road.
The museum will host a special screening of “Drive By History: The Worst Winter of the Revolution: 1779-80,” a PBS episode that explores the Continental Army’s encampment at Jockey Hollow and Morris County’s pivotal role in America’s fight for independence.
The evening begins with a VIP cocktail reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for $30.00, followed by a free screening and live question-and-answer session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with creator and host Ken Magos.
Attendees will hear firsthand how the story was brought to life and gain new insight into one of the most significant Revolutionary War sites in the nation.
Golden, crispy French fries paired with a classic hot dog and an ice-cold soft drink make for a timeless comfort meal—simple, satisfying, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or a quick bite on the go.
MORRIS COUNTY — Starting August 1, restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, diners, food trucks, drive-thrus and other food service businesses in Parsippany and across New Jersey will only be permitted to provide single-use utensils and condiment packets when customers specifically request them, under the state’s new “Skip the Stuff” law.
The law, known as S3195, applies regardless of whether an order is placed in person, by phone, online or through a delivery app. Online ordering systems will also be required to default to “no utensils or condiments,” requiring customers to actively opt in if they want them.
The law also changes dine-in service. Full-service restaurants with seating for 10 or more customers will be required to provide reusable, washable utensils for customers eating on-site instead of disposable cutlery.
Customers will still be able to request disposable forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, napkins and condiment packets. Businesses are not required to offer these items, but if they do, they may only hand out the specific types and quantities a customer asks for.
A related provision takes effect later: starting August 1, 2027, restaurants will no longer be allowed to offer bundled packs containing multiple disposable utensils or condiments, though self-service stations dispensing individual items will still be permitted in certain settings.
The law includes several exemptions. K-12 schools, health care facilities, and county or state correctional facilities are not covered by the requirements, and food court vendors have until August 1, 2028 to comply. Prepackaged food products that include utensils or condiments during manufacturing, along with single-use sauce cups served with specialty menu items, are also exempt.
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the measure builds on the state’s broader effort to reduce single-use plastics, following a 2022 ban on single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food containers, and a 2021 requirement that plastic straws be provided only upon request.
Environmental groups, including Clean Water Action, have pointed to the volume of disposable utensils discarded nationally each year, much of it never used, as a driver behind the legislation. The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators has described New Jersey’s law as among the most comprehensive of its kind in the country.
A fiscal analysis by the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services found the law could produce long-term savings for restaurants and government-run food service facilities by reducing the purchase of disposable items, though some businesses may face short-term adjustment costs. The analysis also noted that state and local governments will take on additional enforcement responsibilities, with fines collected supporting litter cleanup and environmental education through the Clean Communities Program Fund.
Businesses that do not comply will receive a warning for a first violation, followed by a $100 fine for a second offense and $250 for a third or subsequent violation within a 12-month period.
Parsippany restaurant and food service owners with questions about compliance can consult guidance from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Councilmen Matthew Kavanugh, Paul Carfi, Jr., Matthew McGraft (standing), President Judy Hernandez and Vice President Diya Patel
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council is scheduled to hold its Agenda Meeting on Tuesday, July 7, at 7:00 p.m. Click here to download the agenda.
Council is also expected to approve minutes from the June 9 Agenda Meeting and the June 23 Regular Meeting, and hear reports from the mayor, township council, township attorney, business administrator, and township clerk.
Chief Financial Officer Angelica Sabatini is recommending authorization for regular and miscellaneous payroll payments on July 1 and July 17, each estimated at $1,650,000, along with payment of bills from the July 7 voucher list totaling $967,604.21.
The next Township Council meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, at 7:00 p.m. for a Regular Meeting, and Tuesday, August 4, at 7:00 p.m. for an Agenda Meeting.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County will join communities across the nation on Wednesday, July 8, for a synchronized public reading of the Declaration of Independence, marking the 250th anniversary of the document’s first public reading and closing out the county’s weeklong “Light to Unite” celebration of America’s semiquincentennial.
The public is invited to gather on the front lawn of the historic Morris County Courthouse, 56 Washington St., beginning at 5:45 p.m., with the reading starting promptly at 6:00 p.m. The timing coincides with communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories, which will take part in the nationwide “Sharing the Spirit of America” initiative at the same moment.
The reading will also be livestreamed on the Morris County Facebook page. County officials are encouraging municipalities, civic organizations, veterans halls and other local groups to organize their own synchronized readings throughout Morris County at exactly 6:00 p.m. on July 8.
The ceremony will feature members of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners along with county constitutional officers Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Sheriff James M. Gannon, County Clerk Ann F. Grossi and Surrogate Heather J. Darling, as well as Superior Court Morris/Sussex Vicinage Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz, each reading an assigned portion of the Declaration of Independence.
“This event offers our community a unique opportunity to stand together and commemorate one of the defining moments in our nation’s history,” said Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw. “By joining Americans across the country in reading the Declaration of Independence at the exact same moment, we honor the principles of liberty and self-government that continue to unite us 250 years later.”
The date commemorates July 8, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was first read publicly in the yard of what is now Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The document was also read publicly in Trenton later that same day.
The Morristown ceremony will open with music from the Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps of Hackettstown. Just before 6:00 p.m., the historic courthouse bell will ring 13 times before the reading begins.
Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to enjoy complimentary Bomb Pop frozen treats, view the Morris County 250th Traveling Mural, and explore a special 250th anniversary exhibit inside the courthouse. The exhibit traces the evolution of Morris County’s courthouses, highlights landmark trials, and features historic artifacts, photographs and interactive displays illustrating the county’s legal history. Visitors can also view exhibits on the history of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and pick up a complimentary pocket Constitution, courtesy of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to the historic courtroom on the second floor of the Morris County Courthouse.
The July 8 reading also caps off Morris County’s “Light to Unite” campaign, which began July 2 and encouraged residents, businesses, schools, houses of worship and local governments to light homes, buildings and landmarks in red, white and blue in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
PARSIPPANY — Wise Animal Rescue (WISE), a foster-based, all-volunteer nonprofit headquartered in Lake Hiawatha, is looking for a forever home for Striker, a 7-week-old Yorkshire Terrier-Chihuahua mix puppy.
Striker is female and small in size. According to WISE, she is “the total puppy package” — playful, happy and full of life, with days balanced between eating, playing and napping. The rescue describes her as outgoing and eager to make new friends, both human and canine, and says she is already making progress with wee-wee pad training.
Striker is good with kids, dogs and cats, WISE said. She is still working on house training, crate training and basic puppy manners, and the rescue recommends a patient home with time to continue her training, socialization and confidence-building as she grows.
WISE said some of the dogs it takes in come from large-scale breeding programs that are unable to place them due to medical needs, birth defects, appearance differences, or simply a lack of demand. The rescue partners with groups working to give those dogs a second chance, and says it is committed to caring for dogs of all kinds — healthy, medically fragile, senior or with special needs.
WISE is entirely volunteer-run, and donations go directly back to the animals in its care. The organization asks prospective adopters to support its program with a minimum donation of $850, which may not be applied directly to the dog being adopted but goes toward supporting all of the dogs in the rescue’s care.
Those interested in adopting Striker can fill out an application at WiseAnimalRescue.org.
Reprinted from Parsippany Focus Magazine, July 2026. Click here to read more.
Kiwanis Club member Rona Kron, Valentino's Pizza owner John Tasar, Frank Cahill, Governor of the NJ District Kiwanis International, and Kiwanis Club member Kathleen Astorga celebrate Valentino's Pizza's first-place finish in the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany's Pizza Challenge.
PARSIPPANY — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany held its first annual Pizza Challenge on Friday, May 29, at the Parsippany PAL.
The event featured six Parsippany pizza establishments, which participated on a first come, first served basis. Tickets were sold for $15.00 each as a fundraiser for the club, and over 90 attendees turned out for the challenge.
Each attendee sampled pizza from all six establishments before voting for their favorite in the contest. Valentino’s Pizza, located at 7 N. Beverwyck Road in Lake Hiawatha, received the most votes.
In addition, since Kiwanis serves the children of the world, the club held a second Pizza Challenge for children. Kids also got to sample pizza and vote for their favorite establishment, with Palermo’s Pizzeria, located at 3045 U.S. Route 46 in Parsippany, taking first place in the children’s contest.
Esref Mansur, owner of Palermo’s Pizza, and Frank Cahill, Governor of the NJ District Kiwanis International, celebrate with Palermo’s employees after the pizzeria took first place in the children’s challenge of Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany’s Pizza Challenge.
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany would like to thank all participating pizza establishments: Parsippany’s Best Pizza, Jefry’s Pizza, Tabor Pizzeria, Valentino’s Pizza, Palermo’s Pizzeria, and Baldwin Pizzeria, for taking part in this exciting fundraiser.
Kiwanis International’s mission centers on improving the world one child and one community at a time, with member clubs dedicating time and resources to service projects that benefit children locally and around the globe. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports numerous local programs, including the Parsippany Food Pantry, K-Kids clubs at area elementary schools, Key Clubs at Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School, and an Aktion Club, among many other initiatives.
For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, visit parsippanykiwanis.org.
PARSIPPANY — Mayor Pulkit Desai and the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will present the annual Fireworks Display & Concert on Saturday, July 4th, at Parsippany Hills High School. The rain date is Sunday, July 5th.
Gates will open at 5:00 p.m., with fireworks scheduled at dark, approximately 9:30 p.m.
Beginning at 5:00 p.m., attendees can enjoy live music, food trucks, games, inflatables, and activities for all ages before the evening concludes with the fireworks display.
New this year, a dunk tank will be on site, giving attendees a chance to take their shot at dunking Mayor Desai between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Everyone in attendance will proceed through a police checkpoint prior to entry. Intoxicated persons will be denied entry, and all bags and containers are subject to inspection; attendees are encouraged to use clear bags for quicker entry.
The following items are prohibited at the event:
Glass containers
Alcoholic beverages
Pets
Personal fireworks, including legal fireworks
Drones
Residents who are not attending the event are advised to plan alternate travel routes, as traffic delays are expected in the area of Route 53, Park Road, Brooklawn Drive and Route 202 during the event.
Parking for people with disabilities will be limited and accessible via Rita Drive; proper placards must be displayed. Golf carts will be available for those needing assistance with transportation on the hill.
Volunteer members of the Parsippany Office of Emergency Management, wearing hi-visibility lime and green shirts, will be available throughout the event to provide directions and guidance.
MORRIS COUNTY — Republican congressional candidate Joe Hathaway is calling on U.S. Rep. Analilia Mejia to explain why she has not joined a group of Democratic lawmakers who recently signed a pledge distancing their party from socialism, according to a campaign statement released July 3.
The statement points to a “Promise to America” pledge, which several Democratic members of Congress and candidates unveiled declaring “We are capitalist, not socialist,” alongside statements of support for secure borders, safe communities, fiscal responsibility and effective government. Signers cited by the Hathaway campaign include U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York. Mejia’s name is not among them.
“The interesting story isn’t that Republicans disagree with Analilia Mejia,” Hathaway said in the statement. “It’s that even Democrats are now saying their party has gone too far. They’ve put their names on a pledge rejecting socialism, supporting safe communities, secure borders, and common-sense government. Congresswoman Mejia had the same opportunity to stand with our district, and she didn’t.”
Hathaway, a Randolph Township councilman and the borough’s immediate past mayor, said voters in Morris, Essex and Passaic counties are focused on cost of living, public safety and housing affordability rather than ideological labels.
“People are exhausted by politics that rewards the loudest activists instead of the families trying to make ends meet,” Hathaway said. “This election is about choosing practical leadership over political movements. That’s the kind of representative I intend to be.”
Mejia, a Glen Ridge Democrat, won the 11th District seat in an April special election to succeed Gov. Mikie Sherrill, defeating Hathaway by a wide margin. She has been backed during her political career by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and previously led the New Jersey Working Families Alliance. Both candidates are running again this November for a full term. Mejia’s campaign did not immediately respond to the Hathaway statement.
Hathaway has served on the Randolph Township Council since 2022. He lives in Randolph with his wife, Whitney, and their three children.
Mayor Pulkit Desai joins winners and participants of the America 250 Art, Essay, and Poetry Contest at Parsippany Town Hall, celebrating the outstanding young talent from across the township.
PARSIPPANY — Township officials are congratulating the talented students who participated in this year’s America 250 Art, Essay, and Poetry Contest, celebrating the creativity and patriotism on display from Parsippany’s young residents.
Through their artwork, writing, and poetry, students reflected on the nation’s history, the meaning of freedom, and the future they hope to build as the country marks its 250th anniversary.
The public is invited to view all submitted artwork, essays, and poems on Friday, July 3, at 7:00 p.m. at Veterans Park, where the work will be proudly displayed as part of Parsippany’s America 250 celebration.
MORRIS COUNTY — A Maryland man has been sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison following an undercover investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood and Chief of Detectives Robert McNally confirmed that Cristobal Slobodzian, 38, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was sentenced on June 26, 2026 by Judge Ralph Amirata in connection with multiple online communications made with an undercover agent posing as a minor child.
On March 30, 2026, Slobodzian pled guilty to one count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of third degree Obscenity. Upon release from prison, Slobodzian is required to adhere to Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life.
The investigation began in July 2025, when Slobodzian used a teen chat application to contact someone he believed to be a 13-year-old female, who was actually an undercover agent with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office ICAC Task Force. Slobodzian engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the 13-year-old persona and sent numerous explicit images.
The investigation revealed Slobodzian to be a resident of Prince George’s County, Maryland. With the assistance of Prince George’s County Police Department officers, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office ICAC Unit executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Hyattsville residence on November 12, 2025. Slobodzian was subsequently arrested, detained in Maryland, and extradited to New Jersey.
The prosecution resulted from coordination among the Prince George’s County Police Department Special Crimes Division ICAC/CVAA unit, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, and the MCPO Digital Investigations Unit.
PARSIPPANY — As America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, we’re proud to share Stories of Parsippany, a special 10-minute film celebrating the people, places, and moments that have shaped our community.
Featuring Mayor Desai, narrated by Council Vice President Diya Patel, and interviews with several former Parsippany mayors, this commemorative film honors Parsippany’s rich history and the people who continue to make our Township a wonderful place to call home.
Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or are just getting to know our community, we invite you to take a few minutes to experience Parsippany’s story.
PARSIPPANY — Bernard Joseph Berkowitz, affectionately known as “Bernie” and as “Boppi” by his grandchildren, passed away Monday afternoon at Morristown Medical Center following an extended illness. He was 81.
Born in Newark and raised in Union, Bernie later lived in Boston before settling in Parsippany in 1973 — a community he would serve and love for the rest of his life.
He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University in 1967 and his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk Law School in 1970. It was in Boston, while working at a law firm, that he met his future wife, the former Barbara Jean Haddock. After a two-year courtship, the couple married on November 25, 1970 and shared 55 wonderful years of marriage.
Mr. Berkowitz began his private practice, Bernard J. Berkowitz, Attorney at Law, in Parsippany in 1977. He later partnered to form Berkowitz & Raiken in Montville Township, where he practiced for 15 years before retiring in 2013. Bernie loved the law, and was proud to have served as a Municipal Court Judge for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, the Borough of Rockaway, and Netcong for 12 years.
A devoted father and community volunteer, Bernie coached Par-Troy Little League Baseball, Softball, and Soccer, and was an avid supporter and volunteer with the Parsippany High School Marching Band Association. He was a longtime member and former president of both the Parsippany Jaycees and Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, served several terms on the Parsippany Board of Education and Board of Adjustment, served as attorney for the Parsippany Planning Board, and volunteered at the Parsippany Public Library.
Bernie will be remembered most for his kind and generous spirit and his dedication to his family. He loved planning family vacations to National Parks and Historic Sites, relaxing on cruises, and his annual trip to Jensen Beach. He was a lifelong Yankees fan who loved dancing to Neil Diamond in his living room — as long as it was with his daughter or grandchildren. His life motto: “Life is too short to take too seriously.”
Survivors include his beloved wife of 55 years, Barbara Berkowitz; his children, Brian Berkowitz of Parsippany, Gail Egan and her husband John of Rockaway Township, and Mark Berkowitz of Parsippany; his sister, Mindy Harris and her husband Bruce of Georgia; and four cherished grandchildren, Benjamin, Samuel, Hannah, and Daniel Egan. He was preceded in death by his grandson Joshua Egan and his brothers Cary Berlant and Harley Berlant.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 6, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha. A Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home, with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.
The Morris County Correctional Facility, located at 43 John Street in Morris Township, serves as the primary detention center operated by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
DENVILLE — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally and Denville Chief of Police Scott Welsch announce the arrest of Joseph Rizos, 37, of Denville, following a homemade explosives (HME) investigation that yielded the seizure of a massive trove of explosives and explosive precursors.
On the morning of June 24, 2026, a team of investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Avondale Road in Denville, led by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Prior to the execution of the warrant, a motor vehicle stop was conducted and Rizos was detained.
At the residence, investigators uncovered a home laboratory along with a cache of explosive precursors commonly used to make HME. Also seized were blasting caps, cell phones, and various firearms and ammunition. A subsequent search warrant was executed for a shed also located on the property, resulting in the seizure of approximately 109 individual containers of suspected HME capable of massive destruction. A search did not locate a permit issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health required to store these explosive materials.
As a precaution, surrounding residences were temporarily evacuated.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division is carrying out this investigation, which includes task force officers from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Denville Police Department, Parsippany Police Department, Roxbury Police Department, and the Town of Boonton Police Department. Other agencies that assisted include the Morristown Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, New Jersey State Police Hazardous Material Response Unit, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration Newark Division (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Newark Office (FBI).
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office initiated this investigation in March 2026. It is alleged that Rizos ran a destructive device manufacturing operation during 2025 and 2026.
On June 24, Rizos was charged with the following:
One count of Recklessly Risking Widespread Injury/Damage, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-2C, a crime of the second degree.
Four counts of Possession of Destructive Devices, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3A, a crime of the third degree.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be appropriate.
Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Rizos remains detained in the Morris County Jail pending a motion for pretrial detention.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said, “I want to recognize the hard work and persistence of our investigators in shutting down this potentially dangerous operation. I also wish to thank our local, state, and federal partners in providing timely assistance with this volatile situation. We recognize that matters of national significance are transpiring in Northern New Jersey right now, and that this arrest may prompt speculation and concern. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, law enforcement cannot discuss additional details at this time, such as the defendant’s intent. More will be reported to the public at the appropriate time.”
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey recognized three outstanding local young women with the prestigious Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. Pictured, from left, are Shrujana Praveen, Sanjana Medapati, and Lithra Sankari, each holding her Gold Award certificate during the recognition ceremony.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Pulkit Desai and Council Vice President Diya Patel recognized three outstanding Girl Scout Gold Award recipients at the Township Council meeting of Tuesday, June 23, celebrating the remarkable community service projects each young woman completed to earn scouting’s highest honor.
Shrujana Praveen — Road Safety Awareness
Shrujana Praveen, a senior at Parsippany High School, earned her Gold Award by creating a road safety curriculum aimed at elementary school students across Parsippany. Her project was inspired by two powerful experiences — the death of an 8-year-old boy in town struck by a speeding car, and a patient she befriended while volunteering at a hospital who had been paralyzed in a speeding accident.
Praveen developed a kid-friendly educational video, a student reflection survey, and launched a petition to lower the speed limit on Littleton Road — a high-risk area for students and families. The petition gathered more than 800 signatures, and school districts across the area have committed to continuing to use her resources even after her graduation.
Sanjana Medapati began her Girl Scout journey in 3rd grade and went on to earn her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. Now 18 and a 2025 graduate of The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering, she currently attends Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida, where she is a sophomore majoring in Biology as part of the BS/MD Dual Admission Program.
Inspired by her brother, a recent graduate of the United States Military Academy and commissioned officer, Medapati set out to honor Parsippany’s veterans and inspire younger generations to appreciate those who have served. With the guidance of her mentor, Frank Cahill, she helped create a program that displays banners honoring local veterans throughout the community.
Currently there are 49 Veterans banners on display along North Beverwyck Road. For more information click here.
Lithra Sankari — TheHealthyQuest
Lithra Sankari founded TheHealthyQuest at age 16 with a mission to promote healthy habits among children through accessible health education. She developed and delivered workshops at local elementary schools, where she read from a children’s book she authored and engaged students with interactive activities and educational worksheets.
Sankari promoted the book through a dedicated website and donated more than 250 copies to healthcare facilities, libraries, and classrooms throughout the community. A 2025 graduate of Parsippany High School, she is currently a student at Rutgers University–New Brunswick Honors College, pursuing studies in Cell Biology & Neuroscience and Public Health.
Parsippany Focus previously covered Sankari’s project in 2025. She has also been recognized through the NJ Governor’s STEM Scholars Program and the Zonta Morristown Awards & Scholarships.
Parsippany Focus congratulates Shrujana Praveen, Sanjana Medapati, and Lithra Sankari on earning the Girl Scout Gold Award — the highest achievement in Girl Scouting — and thanks them for their extraordinary contributions to the Parsippany community.
Left to right, Janice McCarthy, Chair of Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee; Lisa Plevin, Vice-Chair of Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee; Doreen Brennan, Board of Directors, Kiwanis of Greater Parsippany; Blaine Rothauser, WP Senior Ecologist and Trustee; Judy Hernandez,Parsippany Township Council President; Anita Austenberg Shotwell, WP Managing Trustee; Len Fariello, Senior Land Manager and WP Trustee; David Ulassin, EEC Construction Manager, Cornerstone Construction Services; Tony Garrett, EEC Architect, Bilow Garrett Group; Luca Fariello, WP Preserve Manager; Edwin C. Landis, Esq. WP Trustee and Partner of Meyner and Landis LLP; William J. Fiore, Esq. WP Trustee and Senior Partner of Meyner and Landis LLP. Photo Credit: Henry Shotwell
PARSIPPANY — Wildlife Preserves Inc. began construction on its long-anticipated Troy Meadows Environmental Education Center with a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday, June 26, and the nonprofit land preservation organization is asking nature lovers for input on the programs and amenities they would most like to see.
“Our top priority will always be the welfare of our resident flora and fauna at Troy Meadows, but it is important for Wildlife Preserves to create a space that is welcoming to our neighbors and Preserve visitors. A great experience with the outdoors can really shift a person’s view of the world around them, and help them become better stewards of this natural treasure so close to home,” said Trustee Anita Shotwell.
The small ceremonial groundbreaking was attended by representatives of Parsippany-Troy Hills and local organizations that have supported Wildlife Preserves in the community. Township Council President Judy Hernandez, a frequent participant in cleanups and educational programs, called the future resource “a dream for us.” Leaders of the township’s Environmental Advisory Committee and Wildlife Preserves trustees also attended.
Wildlife Preserves, Inc. is a private, nonprofit land preservation organization based in New Jersey focused on the Troy Meadows Preserve, a 2,600-acre sanctuary in Parsippany and East Hanover in Morris County. The organization also owns and manages sanctuary properties at Goose Pond and the Delaware Bay Shore Preserve, as well as Great Piece Meadows along the Passaic River. Its properties are open to the public for passive recreational use and are maintained at no cost to taxpayers.
The new Environmental Education Center will feature 28 parking spaces, public restrooms, a large classroom, exhibit space and a wood-burning fireplace, along with staff offices and a garage for land-maintenance vehicles. The building will serve as Wildlife Preserves’ office and headquarters, as well as a trailhead for visitors accessing four miles of hiking trails at Troy Meadows.
Original Architectural Sketch for the Troy Meadows EEC, inspired by the historic building. Credit: Bilow Garrett Group, Architects and Planners, 2021
The organization chose the site because it sits on the footprint of a previously demolished home and barns with vehicle access from a Morris County road. The new building will replicate the exterior of the historic farmhouse that once stood there, with parking hidden behind the building to blend with the character of the neighborhood. The use is permitted under the 2020 Parsippany Master Plan to improve public access to Troy Meadows.
Wildlife Preserves plans to disturb just under an acre of its Troy Meadows land holdings for the project. All 48 live trees removed for construction will be replaced with species that provide greater habitat diversity, and the site will include a 4,500-square-foot pollinator and rain garden visible from the center’s interior and porch. The organization is working with LEED-certified architects on the building.
After the center opens in 2027, Wildlife Preserves plans to expand its seasonal events and educational programming, building on offerings such as Bat Walks and Firefly Nights with new winter and inclement-weather programs, along with hybrid offerings like wildlife photography exhibits and Owl Prowls that combine indoor education with outdoor field experiences.
Trustee and Senior Land Manager Len Fariello, who has worked with Wildlife Preserves for more than 50 years, became a naturalist through decades on the land working directly with the organization’s late founder, Robert L. Perkins Jr. Fariello, who was hired as a ranger in 1973, later learned deed restrictions, conservation easements and contract negotiation working on Perkins’ behalf — experience that, along with his time as councilman and mayor of Hanover Township, has made him an effective advocate for the land and its wildlife. His son, Preserve Manager Luca Fariello, has built on that knowledge to create visitor experiences, including a second-grade class trip from a Parsippany elementary school last week.
1966 Photo of the Parritt-Smith House that previously existed on the property. The structure was destroyed by arson in the 1970s and was ultimately demolished. Photo Credit: Wildlife Preserves, Inc.
The Environmental Education Center building itself is fully funded, but Wildlife Preserves is launching initiatives this summer to fund equipment and program expansion for students, seniors and families. Next month, the 501(c)(3) will launch a sponsorship program for engraved bricks — the symbolic and literal “first step” for visitors entering the property — expected to cost $125 for individuals and $250 for businesses or clubs, with 1,300 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parsippany families and businesses will also be able to sponsor outdoor seating, seminars and landscape plantings on site, including nearly 1,000 perennials, 57 shrubs and trees such as river birch, red cedar, dogwood and a specimen-quality witch hazel. Proceeds from the tax-exempt donations will support future programs and operations at the center, which is set to open to the public next year.
Members of the public with suggestions for future programs at the Environmental Education Center can reach out to Wildlife Preserves through the contact form at WildlifePreserves.org. To receive updates on the center’s progress and Wildlife Preserves events, residents can sign up for the Friends of Troy Meadows email list at WildlifePreserves.org or follow Wildlife Preserves on Instagram and Facebook.
Custom engraved bricks, to be installed at the entrance to the EEC, will soon be made available for sale to the public, along with sponsorship of benches and trees, with proceeds to support operations and programs at the Troy Meadows EEC. The education building construction is fully funded at no cost to taxpayers. Photo Credit: Anita Shotwell
PARSIPPANY — Jay Patel was among 7,129 undergraduate and graduate students who received degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology during the university’s 270th Commencement exercises, held May 7-9 at McCamish Pavilion and Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Georgia Tech, one of the top public research universities in the United States, offers degrees in business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts and sciences. Its more than 56,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 146 countries, studying at the main campus in Atlanta, at instructional sites around the world, and through distance and online learning.
As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech serves as an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry and society.
PARSIPPANY — Sohum Gaitonde of Parsippany was among 7,129 undergraduate and graduate students who received degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology during the university’s 270th Commencement exercises, held May 7-9 at McCamish Pavilion and Bobby Dodd Stadium.
A 2022 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, Gaitonde completed Georgia Tech’s combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BS-MS) program in just four years, graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Georgia Tech, one of the nation’s top public research universities, offers degrees in business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences. Its more than 56,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent all 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 146 countries, studying at the main campus in Atlanta, instructional sites around the world, and through distance and online learning.
As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech serves as an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.
PARSIPPANY — The Morris County 9/11 Memorial, located at 460 West Hanover Avenue in Parsippany-Troy Hills, will be temporarily closed to the public from Tuesday, July 7, through Friday, July 10, for work necessary to replace a section of sidewalk leading from the parking lot to the top of the memorial circle.
The improvements are intended to enhance safety and accessibility for visitors. The memorial is expected to reopen by the end of the day Friday, July 10, weather permitting and provided construction is completed as scheduled.
During construction, the memorial will be closed to foot traffic, and access to the parking lot will be limited. Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly during the temporary closure.
Morris County appreciates the public’s patience as these necessary improvements are completed.
MORRIS COUNTY — As the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, Morris County Surrogate Heather J. Darling is joining in celebrating a milestone with deep roots in the community. Morristown served as George Washington’s military headquarters during two critical winters of the Revolutionary War, and Morris County’s history is woven into the story of the nation’s founding.
“Two hundred fifty years ago, the men and women of this region helped carry a fragile idea through its hardest test,” Darling said. “As stewards of the county’s oldest court, established to protect families and preserve the rule of law, we take particular pride in celebrating this milestone here in Morris County, where that history was made.”
The Surrogate’s Court, New Jersey’s oldest constitutional office, has served Morris County families through the probate of wills, the administration of estates and the appointment of guardians since the earliest days of the state. The office reflects a tradition of public service that traces directly back to the founding era being commemorated this Independence Day.
Darling extended her warmest wishes to every resident of Morris County for a safe and happy Fourth of July, and encouraged residents to take part in local semiquincentennial commemorations throughout the coming year honoring both the nation’s founding and the community’s own role in that history.
PARSIPPANY — Members of the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company, Parsippany District Two, and numerous Rainbow Lakes residents turned out to greet the Vietnam War Veterans Moving Memorial Wall as it passed along Route 80. The fire company displayed a large American flag from Ladder Truck 621 on the Fox Hill overpass.
The Moving Wall is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It was created by John Devitt after he attended the 1982 annual commemoration ceremonies held in Washington for Vietnam veterans. Devitt felt compelled to share his experience with those who did not have the opportunity to visit the memorial in Washington.
The Moving Wall will be open to the public in Rockaway Township later this week.
