PARSIPPANY — Morris County/Parsippany Sons of Italy ~ Lodge 2561 engages in various community charitable endeavors throughout the year.  One way to raise money to promote those efforts is through charitable events such as their Annual Beefsteak Dinner that was held on November 20th at the Bloomingdale Fireman’s Hall.

This year’s successful event brought out over 130 supporters, who were treated to a fun-packed evening of great food and entertainment.  Live music by the extraordinarily talented, Raquelle Rocco, kept the room lively throughout most of the evening, followed by a visit by none other than New Jersey’s own favorite comedian, Uncle Floyd.  Uncle Floyd was on top of his game as he had the crowd laughing, cheering, and applauding throughout his act.  People came out for an enjoyable time, and it was clear that that is what they got.

Bloomingdale Fire Department put out a fantastic banquet of those savory, juicy, mouth-watering, perfectly prepared, all you can eat, slices of tender beef, all on top of those tiny slices of bread that everyone uses to make bread sculptures.  If you are a carnivorous soul, you would think you were in heaven.  For the rare non-meat eater in the room, there were generous servings of salad, penne pasta, and roasted potatoes to keep you happy and satiated.

All proceeds from this event, as well as all the Sons of Italy events, find themselves going back into the community through the organization’s community outreach programs.  The Morris County/Parsippany Lodge meets once a month at a local restaurant and is always actively involved in the community.  For more information on the group, or to join click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Parsippany Councilman-Elect Justin Musella was the guest speaker at Montville Republican Club on Monday, November 22.

Musella discussed how he was able to gain the largest share of voters in the recent general election.

“It was an honor and a privilege to attend the Montville Republican Club meeting last night and talk about our historic election. We also took the time to speak with elected officials on ways Montville and Parsippany can work together to bring better government to residents,” said Musella.

PARSIPPANY — Connie Keller was given the oath of office by NJ Kiwanis Division 9 Lt. Governor Frank Cahill at a recent dinner celebration.

Connie was previously President during 2015-2016.

In addition, Nicolas Limanov was sworn in as President-Elect.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is the largest club in the New Jersey District of Kiwanis International.

Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our members, Kiwanians, are service-minded men and women who are united in their commitment and compassion for others.

Any community need can become a Kiwanis service project, especially the needs of children. Kiwanis service projects range from efforts that help local communities to Kiwanis International’s Worldwide Service Project for the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.

Kiwanis members dedicate more than 6 million volunteer hours and invest more than $100 million in service projects that strengthen communities and serve children every year.

At the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, we want to ensure that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. We believe that by helping one child, you help the world.

For more information click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — The football teams taking the field on Thanksgiving will bring shrewd strategies and meticulous game plans to make sure they finish the day healthy and successful.

As we tackle one of the year’s biggest feasts, should we do the same?

On the one hand, it’s just one day.

“If you spend the rest of the year eating well and making sure your physically active then I think on Thanksgiving you can give yourself a break,” said Mandy Enright, the FOOD + MOVEMENT® Dietitian, author, and volunteer, American Heart Association. “Don’t be crazy in your choices, but everybody deserves a day off.”

On the other hand, Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday eating season, which can have significant ramifications on body weight – and health – for the entire year.

“Between Thanksgiving and News Year’s Day, it’s not uncommon to see weight gain occur if they aren’t careful,” said Enright. “We need to recognize the risks of the holiday season and be thoughtful.”

The Calorie Control Council, a food and beverage industry group, calculates one Thanksgiving meal can total 4,500 calories. That’s more than twice the recommended number of 1,600 to 2,400 calories per day for a woman.

A 2016 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that the average American gains 1.3 pounds during the holiday season, while a 2000 study in Nutrition Reviews concluded that what’s packed on during the holidays accounts for half of weight gain for the year.

“Even if the average weight gain is only a kilogram (2.2 pounds) each year, over a lifetime it adds up if changes aren’t made to combat the increase in weight,” adds Enright.

This year may not be typical, as the coronavirus pandemic disrupts the usual stream of holiday gatherings and office parties. But the lessons for curbing the dietary impact of Thanksgiving dinner remain the same. Here are some tips:

• Prepare. In the weeks leading up to the holidays, be a bit more vigilant about your food intake. Maybe lose a couple of pounds so you’ll wind up with a net-zero after the holidays.

• Tweak recipes. You can treat yourself to special foods but also have control over how they’re made. Search the internet for a healthier version of a favorite recipe or a substitute for an unhealthy ingredient.

• There’s no quick fix for overeating. You can’t exercise your way out of gorging at the holiday table. Exercise is great, but it’s more about eating less food. It’s calories in, calories out.

• Don’t come hungry. Have a healthy breakfast or lunch. Some people try to avoid weight gain by eating very little before the big feast or a party, but that ends up backfiring because they’re so hungry they’re not able to control themselves.

• It’s not just about eating. Alcohol has calories too and the more you drink, the less you care – not just about the alcohol but the rest of the meal as well.

• Pace yourself. It takes time for the brain to realize you’re getting full. Eating slowly and waiting a few minutes before you go for seconds, or thirds can be very helpful.

• Beware of leftovers. The holiday table may be full of the most calorically dense foods people eat all year. If there’s more leftover, you may be the one suffering the consequences. Sooner or later, those pumpkin pies do get eaten.

As sound as the advice may be, the culinary temptations this time of year are hard to resist.

“Holiday season can be the time when people just let go,” concludes Enright. “When there are so many opportunities to eat and so much exposure to high-caloric foods, it’s very difficult unless people are incorporating more mindfulness into their days and food choices.”

PARSIPPANY — Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Parsippany-Troy Hills Town Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26.

The building will re-open Monday, November 29 at 9:00 a.m.

We hope you have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! 🦃🍂

PARSIPPANY — On Tuesday, November 23 at 6:00 p.m., Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) will hold a telephone town hall meeting.

Sherrill will be joined by a panel of experts, including special guest Deputy Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration Amit Bose.

The panel will help answer questions directly from residents on topics such as the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the continued efforts to combat the pandemic, and a number of other key issues. The town hall will be held virtually to allow for as many residents as possible to participate.

Residents are invited to register to call in to the telephone town hall at sherrill.house.gov/live.

The town hall will also stream live at 6:00 p.m. directly on Representative Sherrill’s website.

To submit a question ahead of the event, please click here.

DETAILS:

WHAT: Representative Sherrill Telephone Town Hall
WHEN: Tuesday, November 23, 2021
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: sherrill.house.gov/live

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany’s 2022 Town Planner Calendar will begin to arrive in residents’ mailboxes beginning mid-December.

But in the meantime, you can find the electronic copy for next year by clicking here.

You’ll find all the information on Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste pickups, Public School Closures, and more.

Be on the lookout for the printed Town Planner calendar with coupons and beautiful images of Parsippany hitting your mailbox later in the month of December!