PARSIPPANY — Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms held a “Head, Hand & Heart Gala” on Saturday, October 15 at Knoll County Club East.

The “Head, Hand & Heart Gala” was held to honor two local non-profit groups, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany and Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio gave special recognition to the honorees, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany and the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills and thanked the Craftsman Farms Foundation for helping to make Parsippany a great place to live and work. Those volunteer organizations make up the fabric of Parsippany and have contributed to the designation by Money Magazine as the fifth best place to live in the nation.

Governor Christ Christie, in a letter to the attendees stated “As a National Historic Landmark, the Stickley Museum has been an integral part of New Jersey’s historical and cultural landscape. By offering a range of educational programs and tours for its visitors, the Museum is committed to providing a distinctive for their dedication to preserving and sharing our State’s history and commend those who will continue this worthy endeavor in the future.”

The Gala’s “head, hand, and heart” theme has long been associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, the movement that inspired Gustav Stickley’s vision for Craftsman Farms, stated Vonda Givens, Executive Director. “The dedicated members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany and the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills serve our community with head, hand and heart. Over the years Kiwanis Club has partnered with Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms and both clubs have pointed the way, pioneering a path of service to the community that the museum seeks to emulate. We all share the overlapping goal of serving children in Parsippany-Troy Hills and enhancing the lives of local families. For many years, the Kiwanis Club and the Woman’s Club have worked tirelessly doing both. We are thrilled to spotlight their efforts,” said Givens.

For over 60 years, the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills has demonstrated its commitment to the community through an impres­sively wide range of community service endeavors. For many years the Club has served the township and the state with initiatives to support education, home life, conservation and more. An early project supported the founding of Parsippany Library. Today the Woman’s Club is involved with both large and small projects, many ongoing, which assist and support families in need, victims of domestic violence, the elderly and active military. Educational oppor­tunities for local children are fostered through a spelling bee, reading awards for 5th graders, citizenship awards for middle school students and scholarships for high school seniors. For the last two years, the club has also awarded a scholarship to a victim of domestic abuse who wants to continue her education. Every two years, the New Jersey Federation of Woman’s Clubs selects a new charitable organization to support. Currently the club is championing “Prevent Child Abuse-NJ.” Past statewide projects included “Autism Awareness” and support for “National Alliance on Mental Illness.” The club also has an active social side. From Bunco nights, a book club, holiday parties and more – club members keep busy!

The focus of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsip­pany is to improve the quality of life for children and families by giving primacy to the human and spiritual rather than the material values of life. The Club is committed to making the world better by making communities better.

Marking its 25th year of service to Greater Parsippany, the Kiwanis Club hosts weekly meetings, each Thurs­day morning at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner. Any community need can become a Kiwanis service project, especially the needs of children. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany believes that by helping one child, you help the world. This dynamic organization sponsors Key Clubs in both local Parsippany high schools, Builders Clubs in the middle schools, and K-Kids Clubs in elementary schools, with over 500 student members. The Kiwanis Club has supported the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms’ Family Days and other children’s programs for many years, but it is just one local organization to benefit from the organization’s support. Its community service efforts, particularly in service to children and families, leave a large footprint on the area. The club supports the Parsippany Child Day Care Center, Parsippany Library, and numerous other organi­zations such as Housing Partnership, NJ Sharing Network, The Women’s Theater, Jersey Battered Women’s Service, Homeless Solutions, Eliminate Project, Parsippany Community Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Camp Nejeda and Children’s Specialized Hospital.

PARSIPPANY — Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk was held in the Mack-Cali Business Campus on Sunday, October 16. 332 teams and 3,373 participants have raised $404,792.47.

The tree top individuals were Making Strides Gold Pacesetter Joan Van Soest raising $18,687, Making Strides Silver Pacesetter Fran Saliter raising $6,905 and Making Strides Silver Pacesetter Making Strides Donor Nancy Medford raising $6,615.

Three top teams were: Team Tilcon raising $22,448; The Fighting Champions Team raising $8,445 and Team Mary raising $8,225.

And the three top corporations were Morristown Medical Center raising $25,894.11; Tilcon New York Inc. raising $22,448 and Realogy raising $7,906.

Parsippany-Troy Hills School District headed by Ms. Aimee Doyle, with 92 members participating raised $2,570.00.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks are the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, uniting communities with a shared determination to help free the world from the pain and suffering of breast cancer. Passionate walk participants raise critical funds that enable the American Cancer Society to fund innovative research; provide free, information and support to anyone touched by breast cancer; and help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable.

The money raised through Making Strides walks helps the American Cancer Society in the fight against breast cancer by funding innovative breast cancer research; by providing free, comprehensive information and support for those touched by breast cancer; and by helping people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable.

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany United Methodist Church recently held successful all you can eat Ham Dinner fundraiser. The dinner included Ham, Corn, Marconi and Cheese, String Beans, Baked Beans and Rolls. Also members of the church cooked home-made desserts.

The Parsippany United Methodist Church (PUMC) is located at 903 South Beverwyck Road. You can reach them by calling (973) 887-4657, or click here to visit their website.

The Parsippany United Methodist Church congregation was founded in 1830. In 1962, the century-old original church building was torn down to make room for an interstate highway. An education building and fellowship hall were built on a new location, but for years the congregation dreamed of a new, dedicated sanctuary. An identity was shaped over the course of the forty years between the evacuation of the original church building and the completion of the new sanctuary.

The PUMC congregation worshipped together in a fellowship hall that was also used for church dinners and play productions. People were drawn to the congregation not for the edifice — the school-like building wasn’t much to look at — but by qualities they experienced in the fellowship and worship. Together we shaped a congregational life characterized by unusual warmth, inclusion, artistic creativity, humor and prayerfulness.

Following Pastor Jeff Edwards arrival in 1989, PUMC congregational growth made it possible for the church to actively plan for the construction of a new worship space. Together they engaged in a long process of envisioning, fundraising, and planning for a new sanctuary that, with its simple and open design, was in keeping with the spirit of our congregation.

You can schedule a meeting with Pastor Jeff either by speaking to him directly, or by speaking to Fred Coleman, our Office Minister.  Fred is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (973-887-4657)

Construction began in November of 2001, in the midst of the national grief of 9/11. As they witnessed people spontaneously flock to communal holy spaces seeking contact with the Eternal, there seemed a rightness to building the sanctuary as an expression of hope in unsettling times.

Six months into construction, amid the typical frustrations and setbacks that are a part of this process, the chairperson of the building committee suddenly died. Shortly thereafter his wife also died. When finally the new sanctuary was dedicated six months later in December of 2002, the joy they felt was mixed with sadness that this much beloved couple who had been so instrumental in sustaining our dream of the new sanctuary for forty years was not with us to share in the celebration.

Services are held on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

The PUMC Youth Group meets approximately every other Sunday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All 8th through 12th graders are invited.

Breakfast for Men is held Tuesday mornings at 7:15 a.m. at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46 East. Free form discussion is concluded with a prayer.  All men are welcome.

PARSIPPANY — Looking to get into the Halloween spirit? Join the Parsippany-Troy Hills Library Costume Swap.

If you have children’s costumes that you wish to swap out, drop them off at the Parsippany Public Library Children’s Department during regular library hours. Costumes must be in good condition.

In return, each family can register for a time to pick up a costume on either Wednesday, October 19 from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. or Thursday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Costumes that aren’t swapped will be donated.

For more information, stop by the library at 449 Halsey Road or call (973) 887-5150, ext. 233.