Adam Kandil, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso, Chairman Frank Cahill, Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Vice President and Committee Liaison Loretta Gragnani, Dr. Bhagirath Maheta and Raj Dichpally
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee has elected officers for the new term.
Frank Cahill will serve as Chairman; Dr. Bhagirath Maheta will be Vice-Chairman and Raj Dichpally as Secretary.
Other committee members include Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso, Michael Pulsinelli, Dr. Phil Santiago, Raviram Medapati, Adam Kandil, and Thomas Williams.
The Committee shall consist of 11 members, five of whom shall be appointed by the Mayor, and six of whom shall be appointed by the Council.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee Chairman Frank Cahill presented a plaque welcoming Mr. Marra’s Music School and Studios to Parsippany. Mayor James Barberio looks on in the background
The purpose of the Economic Development Advisory Committee is to serve in an advisory capacity and shall, upon request of the Township Council, provide information, advice, and recommendations relating to the promotion of Economic Development in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. Members shall be Township residents or owners and employees of business establishments who have knowledge of or have demonstrated an interest in the economic well-being of the Township.
Each member shall be chosen with a special view to qualifications and fitness for service on the Committee. Members shall serve without compensation.
The committee meets once a month on the first Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be held on April 6.
QuickChek reopened this morning at 6:00 a.m. at 170 Parsippany Road
PARSIPPANY — QuickChek, 170 Parsippany Road, Green Hill Plaza, reopened its doors this morning at 6:00 a.m. after fifty percent of the shopping plaza was destroyed by fire on January 4. (Click here to read related article)
The fire broke out early in the morning Jan. 4 in the Parsippany Road plaza. Firefighters worked through the day to extinguish the blaze that significantly damaged several businesses.
QuickChek hs Fresh Brewed Coffee. They’re committed to serving the freshest, most delicious coffee to their friends and neighbors—which is why every guaranteed fresh cup is made with carefully sourced, locally roasted beans and brewed fresh daily. Come in and grab your favorite fresh-brewed variety or try one of our seasonal blends. Also available ground and in K-cups to take home.Aisles were completely stocked with merchandise ready for businessThe store was completely renovatedThe store was completely renovated
Mayor James Barberio, along with Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Advisory Committee cuts the ribbon at Mr. Marra’s Music School and Studio
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee Chairman Frank Cahill, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso, Morris CountyCommissioner Stephen Shaw, including members of the Chamber and members of EconomicDevelopment joins in celebrating DeanMarra with the grand opening ofMr. Marra’s Music School and Studio.
Mr. Marra’s Music School and Studio is located at 100 North Beverwyck Road.
You can learn more about Mr. Marra’s byclicking here.
Mr. Marra’s Music School and Studio offer lessons on Piano, Drums, Woodwinds, Brass, Guitar, and Bass.Morris County Commissioner Stephen Shawm Dean Marra, Mayor James Barberio, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee Chairman Frank CahillBands can practice in one of the “Showcase Room” or use one of our many soundproof roomsMr. Marra’s Music School and Studio offer lessons on Piano, Drums, Woodwinds, Brass, Guitar, and Bass.Mayor James Barberio, along with Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Advisory Committee cuts the ribbon at Mr. Marra’s Music School and StudioFrank Cahill, Chairman Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee presents Dean Marra with a plaque welcoming Mr. Marra’s Music School and Studio to Parsippany
Reprinted from Parsippany Focus Magazine, March 2022. Click here to view the complete magazine.
PARSIPPANY — “Everything You Need to Know About Buying Your First Home” will be presented at Parsippany-Troy Hills Main Library, 449 Halsey Road, Parsippany, on Wednesday, March 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The meeting will take place in Meeting Room A.
The goal is to get you ready and EXCITED to buy your first house.
Chirag Mehta Esq. will present on Real Estate Law and the Attorney Review process.
Joe Grasso from North Pointe Bank will present on getting set up with a mortgage and all things finance.
Anthony Coppola of Two Rivers Title Company will provide information on title and escrow topics.
David Blinder from eXp Realty will present on Real Estate Trends and select the very best home.
Rajni Indian is located at 296 Route 46 West, Parsippany
PARSIPPANY — On arrival at Rajni for the first time, you might think you had just entered a storefront, local eatery somewhere off the streets of Mumbai on your way to pick up an order of Chicken Biriyani. Rajni could certainly be described as a low-key, modest, unpretentious eatery where one would stop in for a casual, relaxing lunch or dinner, either alone, with family, or a group of friends. Nothing fancy, formal, or elegant here, just some genuine, delicious, homemade southern Indian cuisine. The kind of food craved by many discerning diners looking for that familiar taste from their homeland.
Chef Naveen, Moses, Raj, Pat Minutillo and Yoga Guna
Rajni opened in 2011 and features truly authentic cuisine from the state of Tamil Nadu. Upon entry, you first encounter the shrine of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu elephant god who symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect that one must possess to attain perfection in life. A perfect symbolic introduction to the culinary experience within. The restaurant is named after a Tamil movie star, producer, and screenwriter, “Rajni” Kant. According to Rajni’s website, their uniqueness lies in recapturing the flavor of homemade food and ambiance. They tout their belief in the three pillars of Quality, Affordability, and Impeccable Service.
You may have passed Rajni a hundred times while traveling along Route 46 and never gave it a thought, as it is somewhat hidden alongside the rear of the small Meadow Plaza strip mall. Rajni does not face the highway, so you will have to keep an eye out for the blue signage leading into the parking lot. Once there you will find adequate off-street parking. As you pull up to their attractive brick and glass building you will see the cute little elephant in front.
Chicken Dosa
As my foodie group started to arrive, the very friendly and hospitable staff warmly welcomed us. Our table was immediately prepared while we joked and bantered with Moses, the manager, and Yoga (Doctor) Guna, brother of the owner Jey Guna, who unfortunately was not available on this visit. As we found our seats and perused the extensive and unfamiliar menu, we all had questions for the staff, which they were happy to address politely and patiently.
Pat Minutillo
We found the interior to be clean, organized, and surprisingly spacious; with comfortable looking, red leather booths lined along the walls, and well-spaced tables, covered with white plastic tablecloths arranged throughout the dining area. The offset tones of the yellow and brown walls, wood tiled floors, lofty ceiling lined with silver metal paneling, a few Indian pictures and artifacts, and a large screen TV complete the simple, casual, homey ambiance that is Rajni.
Large glass windows along the full length of one side of the restaurant keep the interior bright and airy. A smaller secondary room is located adjacent to the main dining room and looks like it would be perfect for a small gathering or business meeting.
Sadly, the once-popular buffet area, along the far wall, now sits unused because of pandemic concerns; hopefully, the buffet will once again become a feature of Rajni in the near future.
Upon entry, you first encounter the shrine of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu elephant god who symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect that one must possess to attain perfection in life. A perfect symbolic introduction to the culinary experience within
Rajni’s focus is on South/North Indian specialties, with a primary focus on South Indian cuisine. They also offer Indo-Chinese cuisine, a distinct fusion culinary style combining aspects of both Indian and Chinese food and flavors.
In fact, Indianized Chinese food is extremely popular throughout India. Spicy, rich, flavorful, and diverse is the way most people describe Indian food, regardless of which section of India we are talking about, but on my visit, I was interested in exploring the South Indian culinary style which is much spicier than its Northern neighbor. South Indian food is considered extremely healthy and is mostly vegetarian, but there are plenty of non-vegetarian accompaniments to deliciously complement your meal.
The generous use of chili and tamarind helps to make Southern dishes spicy hot and tangy. Also, rather than naan or roti, rice is heavily favored in Southern Indian food.
Northern Indian cuisine tends to be less spicy and uses milder to more moderate spices in their dishes. So, if you are new to this culinary style when ordering is mindful that the food can be quite spicy. Do not hesitate to inquire about the heat index of each dish and inform your waiter of your heat preference. Most novices to this cuisine, as am I, are generally much more familiar with Northern style Indian food, which leaves the Southern-style largely unexplored by most, which is too bad, as Indian food consists of a lot more than chicken tikka masala, vindaloo, and naan.
Melagai Podi Idli
With the help of our server’s advice, we chose a variety of appetizers to share as a group. One by one, out came the Melagai Podi Idli; (a soft, pillowy steamed savory cake made from rice and lentil batter and a perfect complement to the assorted chutneys that it was served with); Karimeen Tawa Fry (a full pomfret fish grilled with onion, chili, and ginger sauce) which tasted delectable, delicate and slightly sweet with a nice texture, tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, with a gentle kick of heat; Fish-65 (Tilapia pieces marinated with chili paste and curry leaves) this was a crispy and tasty treat with boneless marinated fish that was deep-fried; Onion Pakora (fritters with mild spices and served with assorted chutneys) pieces of onion, battered in spices and deep-fried; and Chicken Chettinadu (boneless chicken cooked with Chettinad special sauces and coconut).
Fish-65
These were quite an interesting start to our exploration of this cuisine. The consensus of the group is that they enjoyed the interesting variety of tastes, textures, and spiciness of each of the individual dishes. All the dishes came with a selection of chutneys (dipping sauces that really enhanced every bite).
Our gluttonous appetites were fairly satiated after our appetizers, but now it was time to order our entrees. I selected, on my friend’s recommendation, the Kothu Parota Chicken (a South Indian popular street food delicacy prepared using parotta, egg, and chicken in a spicy sauce), parotta shredded into small pieces, stir-fried, and cooked with shredded or minced chicken and served with raita, a yogurt-based condiment to cool the palate, as this is a spicy dish. It is definitely worth trying. That friend went with the Kothu Parota -Lamb, which he loved.
Others in the group went with the Hyderabad Goat Dum Biriyani (spicy flavored basmati rice cooked with goat meat, with special Southern spices, then served with raitha and Rajni’s special salna sauce). This is a key dish in Hyderabadi cuisine; the Lamb Tikka Masala (Lamb cooked with a creamy tomato sauce, and a slightly spicy and earthy tasting dish). Several in the group chose the Chicken Dosa (a large, and I mean exceptionally large, a flavored crepe made from fermented rice batter and black lentils and filled with vegetables, chicken, onions, and crushed red pepper). They all thoroughly enjoyed their dosas.
Donuts (Indian style)
With no room left for desserts, the staff was kind enough to pack up some complimentary Gulab Jamun (Cheese balls in a honey sauce) a beloved Indian dessert, for us to take along and enjoy at home. There are plenty of non-alcoholic Indian beverages and on the menu as well, including Madras coffee, Nilagiri Tea, and Lassi’s, but as usual, since Rajni is a BYOB, I brought along a complimentary beverage, in this case, some Kingfisher Beer, the most popular beer in India, and it certainly did go perfectly with the spiciness of the assorted dishes.
Overall, a fun, interesting, and enjoyable dining experience. Tasty food, friendly, hospitable service, and very reasonable prices. If you have not yet been to Rajni, and you enjoy Indian cuisine and a comfortable, casual atmosphere, I would suggest stopping by and giving them a try.
“Food is medicine, medicine is Food” (Unavu maruntu, maruntu unavu); Dine-in – Curbside pickup – No-contact delivery – BYOB. Off-Street Parking. Closes 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Extensive modern online menu. All poultry and meat products are halal. Available for on-site dosa parties and catering.
Rajni Indian is located at 296 Route 46 West, Parsippany. Phone: (973) 396-8666. Website: http://www.rajnis.com/
MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblyman Brian Bergen said he is disappointed that the mask mandate will remain in effect at the statehouse.
At its Tuesday meeting, the eight-member State Capitol Joint Management Commission dropped all Covid-19 mitigation measures, save masking. Everyone entering the statehouse must continue to wear a cloth face-covering in public areas or be denied entry.
The updated rules take effect on February 25.
“The Republican conference stood firm against these discriminatory and illogical policies when they were adopted late last year by the Democrat-controlled commission,” Bergen (R-Morris) said. “While I’m pleased the commission dropped most of the rules, I’m disappointed they are clinging to the masking theater. Let’s free our faces! Personally, I miss seeing Speaker Coughlin’s smile.”
Even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend indoor masking for anyone ages 2 and older, most states that had mask mandates have dropped or are in the process of dropping them, even in schools. Gov. Phil Murphy announced on February 7, 2022, that school districts would be permitted to drop masking in early March.
While masks inside the statehouse have been required since summer 2020, the commission did not require proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 tests to enter the building until December 2021. Republicans pushed back, arguing that the policy discriminated against the unvaccinated since vaccinated persons could still catch and spread the virus. Democrats eventually capitulated and required all legislators, employees, and visitors to provide a negative test to enter the Assembly and Senate chambers. Many Republican legislators, including Bergen, also chose to go maskless inside the statehouse.
“Let me be clear: no one should be shamed for their masking choices. But I firmly believe masking should not be mandated but left up to the individual,” Bergen added. “Besides, we’ve been safely unmasked in restaurants, shopping malls, fitness centers, and very soon, schools. What makes the statehouse particularly unsafe still?”
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph K. Kimker, Parsippany-Troy Hills Acting Police Chief Richard Pantina, and Morris County Sheriff James Gannon announce that a person who was initially reported missing in Parsippany-Troy Hills, was later found deceased.
On Friday, February 18, 2022, at approximately 10:29 p.m., the Parsippany Police Department was notified by Care One Nursing Home 100 Mazdabrook Road that a resident was missing. The resident, identified as John Eschenbach, age 79, was reported missing from that facility by the staff. Attempts were made by various agencies to locate Mr. Eschenbach. On Saturday, February 19, Mr. Eschenbach was found deceased in a tree line along Route 80 at approximately 12:00 noon. There was no indication of foul play and nothing suspicious was reported.
There is no further information to be released at this time.
Parsippany's Green Team Laura Mccluskey and Judy Hernandez with Anika Arora, a freshman at Parsippany Hills High School, and Divya Arora, a Seventh grader at Brooklawn Middle School
PARSIPPANY — We live in a complex world today where our lives depend on many material things. We need electricity, transportation, water, clothing, and food, only to name a few resources. While going about our daily lives, most of us do not pay much attention to how these resources are brought to us. The whole process from production to transportation to distribution leaves a large footprint on the environment. Our consumption habits aggravate the issue and if we are not mindful of them, we could potentially be doing a lot of damage all around us.
Let us analyze one aspect of our lives, the food we consume. Within food, let us take a deeper look at the meat we eat. Most people fail to recognize the connection between meat and climate change. In fact, the meat industry is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture and livestock sector.
More than half of U.S. grain and nearly 40 percent of world grain is being fed to livestock rather than being consumed directly by humans. Just 55 percent of the world’s crop calories are actually eaten directly by people. Another 36 percent is used for animal feed. And the remaining 9 percent goes toward biofuels and other industrial uses. Some of that animal feed eventually become food but it takes about 100 calories of grain to produce just 12 calories of chicken or three calories worth of beef.
Enteric methane, produced from the intestines of cows, is a Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) and has a life span of 12 years in comparison to carbon dioxide (CO2), parts of which stay in the atmosphere for many hundreds to thousands of years. Methane traps 84 times more heat than CO2 over the first two decades after it is released into the air. Even over a 100-year period, the comparative warming effect of enteric methane is 34 times greater than carbon dioxide (per kg). Therefore, reducing the rate of enteric methane emissions would help reduce the rate of global warming in short term, and if emission reductions are sustained, can also help limit peak warming. [fao.org]
Soils play a key role in the carbon cycle by soaking up carbon from dead plant matter. Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and pass carbon to the ground when dead roots and leaves decompose. Deforestation to create agricultural lands can cause this soil carbon to get released at a faster rate than it can be replaced. This net release of carbon to the atmosphere further contributes to global warming.
Beef production is resulting in massive deforestation in the Amazon. There are many issues here. With deforestation, we are losing trees that act as sinks for greenhouse gases. The burning down of these forests to create pastures for grazing cattle is releasing more CO2 into the environment. Beef and soy production is driving more than two-thirds of the recorded habitat loss in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Demand for soy is closely connected to demand beef and other animal proteins. Between 70 percent and 75 percent of all soy becomes livestock feed.
Being disturbed by how a lot of human beings have shed their responsibility of taking care of the very environment they depend on, Anika Arora, a freshman at Parsippany Hills High School, and Divya Arora, a Seventh grader at Brooklawn Middle School, decided to take action. In 2020, they decided to launch an awareness campaign to educate their community on the adverse effects that the meat industry is having on Climate Change.
With the support of Parsippany-Troy Hills superintendent of schools, Dr. Barbara Sargent, and Brooklawn Middle School principal, Ms. Carly Stout, they started spreading the word at their school encouraging students to sacrifice a meat meal each Monday. With the full support of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Environmental Advisory Committee, led by Laura McCluskey, Judy Hernandez, and Lisa Plevin, they have done several presentations at the town library, set up a booth at the town’s ‘Green Fair’ and also presented to the Town Council Members.
Anika and Divya hope that by starting this grassroots movement in their community they will be able to inspire a lot more people to spring into action. Today, they continue to work with their school communities to raise awareness on the importance of ‘Meatless Mondays’.
As Herbert Spencer once said, “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action”.
Spelling Bee Chairman Mary Ann Coyne; Winners: Third Place Saumyaa Patel, Second Place Sristi Vaidya, First Place Vidyut Srinivas Santhanakrishnan; Judges: Melissa Kuzma, William Westhoven and Dr. Matthew Thompson, Pronouncer: Marianne Burke; and First Place Vidyut Srinivas Santhanakrishnan
PARSIPPANY — On Friday, February 11, the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (WCPTH) held its Sixth Annual Spelling Bee after a year’s hiatus due to COVID.
Twenty-four fifth-grade students representing all ten of the Parsippany Public Elementary Schools participated in the Spelling Bee, which was held in the Parsippany Hills High School (PHHS) auditorium.
Over 125 parents, family members, and friends watched the students as they approached the microphone to spell each word. Judging the event were Dr. Matthew Thompson, Parsippany Hills High School Principal, Melissa Kuzma, Director of Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library System, and William Westhoven, a reporter at Gannett NJ Daily Record.
Mary Ann Coyne, WCPTH club member and chairman of the Sixth Annual Spelling Bee, was the Moderator and club member Marianne Burke was the Pronouncer. After 16 nail-biting rounds, a winner was declared. The winning word was “journal.”
Taking First Place was Vidyut Srinivas Santhanakrishnan from Mount Tabor Elementary School. Second Place was captured by Sristi Vaidya from Northvail Elementary School. Saumyaa Patel, from Eastlake Elementary School, came in Third Place.
All three winners are invited to participate in the New Jersey State Federated Women’s Club (NJSFWC) Highlands District Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 19 in Rockaway. The District winners will then be invited to the State Championship at the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC) Headquarters on Saturday, April 9 in New Brunswick.
Events like these are made possible by the various fundraising activities the Woman’s Club conducts throughout the year. Please consider supporting our club with these efforts so we can continue to support various community organizations. The Woman’s Club will be having a Tricky Tray to support our Education/Scholarship Fund on July 12 at the PAL on Baldwin Road. This will be our major fundraiser for the year, so please stay tuned for more information and ways you can help us make this a successful event.
Baskets or monetary donations are especially welcome!
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. New members are always welcome! Come to our next General Meeting on Monday, February 28to see if our club is right for you. For more information call Marilyn at (973) 539-3703, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, check us out on the web www.parsippanywomansclub.org or follow the club on FACEBOOK or Twitter.
PARSIPPANY — Rosa had been struggling with serious dental issues for many years. She approached nourish.NJ to ask for help finding affordable care.
We referred her to numerous places, but they offered no affordable solutions. Hearing of Rosa’s plight from the Outreach team, our Director of Development, Nancy Rudgers, had an idea.
She reached out to one of our partners, Alan Rauchberg, the owner of Rauchberg Dental Group.
Amazingly, Dr. Rauchberg offered for him and his team of specialists to do the work Rosa needed absolutely free of charge. Rosa was in tears when we told her that she would finally be receiving the life-changing care she’d been waiting for for years.
Everyone is involved with nourish.NJ, including our partners and friends, are an integral part of helping us transform the lives of our guests for the better.
Dr. Rauchberg was featured in nourish.NJ Newsletter
MORRIS COUNTY — The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices is rapidly becoming a household name in Morris County. Word is spreading about the many initiatives being instituted by this unique, powerful group that provides the community with facts and information in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse. Everyone is quickly realizing the benefit to families when they sign on. The importance of introducing kids to new activities and promoting substance-free events that keep them occupied (such as sports, exercise, career days, teen dances, and activities with law enforcement) is of paramount concern when it provides ways to uphold a child’s self-esteem. The Coalition is a pro-active team compromised of elected officials, law enforcement, educational leaders, and concerned citizens who are up to date on the latest crazes and abuses that are plaguing our children.
Please join officers and police departments from all over the state at the Coalition’s Annual Law Enforcement Night. It is at this event that youngsters get to see firsthand how law enforcement officers are positive influences in our community. Law Enforcement Night has been known to further develop these relationships often providing career opportunities for teens who might not have ever considered such a path.
The equipment on display at this event is known to even awe adults. Never will one see such an array of machinery like this at one location. Kids are able to ride the horses provided by the Park Police, see the Morris County Hope Van, peruse ambulances, emergency vehicles of every shape and size, wearing riot gear, try on handcuffs and comingle with the law enforcement community in a fun atmosphere.
The important aspect to remember here is that law enforcement is trained to make these kids feel safe and important. Confidence and self-esteem go a long way in helping a child say no to his peers when the time arises.
Law Enforcement Night will be held on March 11 starting at 7:00 p.m. Doors Open 6:45 p.m. Th event will be held at Mennen Sports Arena, 161 E. Hanover Avenue, Morristown.
Councilman Justin Musella, Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani, Council President Michael dePierro, Nate Hayes, Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., Mayor James Barberio and Councilman Frank Neglia
PARSIPPANY — Nate Hayes, a scout with Troop 39, attended the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council meeting on Tuesday, February 15 to earn his “Communication Badge.” Nate is in the sixth grade at Brooklawn Middle School.
To earn a communication badge, the scout can select from a list of requirements. The scout can choose to attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) where several points of view are given on a single issue.
Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Then the scout had to prepare an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with their counselor.
Communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The field of communication promotes the effective and ethical practice of human communication.
This badge is one of the many badges the scout must earn before earning Eagle Rank.
Troop 39 offers a wide range of activities and learning experiences for your child that focuses on their continued growth as they progress through the program. They strive to incorporate education, character building, growth, teamwork, and primarily FUN for our Scouts. They are a “Family Friendly” troop that encourages Moms or Dads to attend our meetings, special events, and camping trips so that everyone can experience the fun, together.
Parsippany Rotary International Winter Coat Program was a MEGA Success
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Rotary collaborated with community leaders who want to get to work on projects that have a real, lasting impact on people’s lives. Due to the generous donors, the Parsippany Rotary International Winter Coat Program was a MEGA Success. The outpouring of donations from various families, businesses, Rotary’s Partnered organizations PAL, Gandhian Society, NRIVA, Vasavi Society, GOPIO, and individuals enabled us to provide Up to 400 winter coats and Up to 200 New Winter blankets to children, homeless, and adults and supporting three different organizations of Table of Hope, Hope1 and Hope Hub.
This program is made possible because of great Teamwork and thorough planning and organizational efforts of all Individuals from Parsippany Rotary International, PAL, Gandhian Society, NRIVA, Vasavi Society, and GOPIO. A special thank-you goes to PAL for generously lending the space to drop off winter coats and accessories. Special thank you to the owners of Rishtaa Banquet Hall for hosting the Winter Coats donation event on February, 12.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Parsippany Rotary, PAL, Gandhian Society, NRIVA, and Vasavi Society for Winter Coats, Blankets and accessories Collections, Organizing and transporting coats between sites. This project was a huge effort collectively by all volunteers who donated their time and energy teams helped to shop, some transported the coats and some spent many hours organizing the coats and event preparations. This program could not have happened without them, we thank all of them.
Coats and blankets were donated to Table of Hope
The Winter Coats and Blankets event was attended by Elect District Governor-Sam Maddali, Parsippany Mayor James Barberio, Council President Michael dePierro, Vice President Loretta Gragnani, Councilmen Frank Neglia, and Justin Musella. Rotary Directors and Officers Santosh Peddi, Ravi Chhabra, Ravi Annadanam, Ylka Padilla, Venkat Bijjala. PAL Director Sam Yodice. Gandhian Society Founder and Directors Mr.Bhutala, Rajendar Dichpally, Mahesh, Vijaya Nadella, Dr.Asha Samant, Bhagavan Pingili, Jigar Shah, Anil Pulligala.
NRIVA Board members and E-Directors: TP (Rao Tummala), Ravi Peddi, Gangadhar Vuppala, Guru Alampalli, Committee leaders-Naga Mahender, Om Maduri. It was a great addition to the Coat Program this year, we’d also like to acknowledge NAPA Organization-Balaji Jilla for their Kind offering hand for any donation on winter clothing project in the future for children, homeless, and adults.
To all of the donors who dropped off coats and donated for the great Cause, all who are too numerous to mention, we send a heartfelt thank-you for supporting the Winter Coat Program and we Continue on Rotary’s mission to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Rotary members look for opportunities to improve our communities today and invest in the next generation for tomorrow.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio with members of Parsippany Rotary Club
PARSIPPANY — A man who wandered out of CareOne, on Friday night was found dead on Saturday, authorities confirmed.
John Eschenbach walked away from the Care One facility located at 100 Mazdabrook Road in Parsippany sometime Friday evening.
His body was found on Saturday morning. It was not clear where, though. He is described as having black hair, a grey mustache, a thin build, and is approximately 5’5 feet tall. He was last seen wearing a grey long-sleeve T-shirt with a green horizontal stripe across the middle, blue jeans, and white sneakers. He was not wearing a jacket or any headwear. He had no money, credit cards, or access to a vehicle.
Eschenbach suffered from dementia and other medical issues.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Green Team and The Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee are Going “Jersey Native”!
Did you know that providing habitat for beneficial pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and insects is one of the most important things you can do for the environment? Maintaining sustainable landscapes by promoting the planting of native plants creates an ecosystem that has a far-reaching impact.
The Parsippany Green Team and The Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee are helping coordinate “The Plants for Pollinators Online Sale”, plantsale@greatswamp.org, which is operated with the promotion and volunteers from Community Plant Sale Partners that include ten towns and seven community organizations.
What are Native Plants?
Native plants are species that were present at the beginning of the European settlement of North America. These plants have evolved and established symbiotic relationships with other native plants, insects, and animals, and many are dependent on one another to succeed. Once established these plants do very well with minimal care.
Why Consider Native Plants?
Native plants have evolved to flourish within their specific ecosystems and thereby, support ecosystems with more diversity than those with exotic or non-native plantings. Exotic plants may offer a nectar source for wildlife, but often their leaves, fruits, pollen, and nectar do not meet the nutritional needs of the wildlife. When a region has too few native plants, the food web, the ecosystem, is jeopardized and flora and fauna decline.
What Going “Jersey Native” can do for your Jersey garden?
• Native plants save time. Native plants are hardy, low-maintenance, and well-adapted to the local climate and soil. They have natural defenses to plant diseases, harmful insects, and pests. Once established, native plants flourish with normal rainfall and minimal care.
• Native plants save money. Natives require little or no fertilizers or pesticides, saving you money.
• Native plants attract and support biodiversity. New Jersey, the most densely populated state, has lost a considerable amount of wildlife habitat. Native plants in your yard can create new habitats to help balance the loss. Plant a variety of native plants to provide year-round sources of nectar, seeds, and fruits and diverse types of cover for birds, butterflies, and insects.
• Improve water quality. Native plant roots help prevent erosion by holding soil in place, increasing infiltration of rainwater into the ground, and filtering pollutants like lawn chemicals from the water. Since native plants lessen the need to apply fertilizers and pesticides, they keep our water cleaner and healthier by reducing the amount of pollution that rainwater runoff can carry into our waterways.
Our joint goal is to foster broad adoption of native plant gardens across our area to create necessary habitats for the pollinator insects and bird communities that are foundation elements of our local ecosystem.
The Great Swamp Water Shed Association (GSWA), in conjunction with the sale, is offering a native pollinator plant webinar series in preparation for our Native Plants for Pollinators Sale taking place online April 1-22. Join GSWA for “What’s the Buzz”? the second in a three-part series of free one-hour webinars, as we take a closer look at our native pollinators and the important roles they play in our gardens and in supporting healthy ecosystems. More than 75% of all flowering plants need pollinators to reproduce – and your garden veggies need their help too! Native pollinators have fascinating life histories, so knowing about gardening for pollinators from the insects’ perspective will enable you to truly welcome them to your yard. URL/Signup Link https://www.greatswamp.org/event/native-pollinators-whats-the-buzz/
Contact plantsale@greatswamp.org to request ongoing email updates and reminders.
Scouts BSA Troop 173 (Parsippany) Junior Klondike Sled Team pose next to their sled that contained all the equipment and supplies needed to compete in the nine Klondike towns
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, February 5, over 300 youth in the Scouts BSA program participated in the annual Fishawack Klondike Derby, a team competition testing Scouting skills and knowledge. The event was held at Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation in Byram Township.
Sled Captain Nicholas Shatynski, of Whippany, is honored to hold the 1st Place Junior Klondike Sled Plaque on behalf of the entire Troop 173 (Parsippany) Junior Sled Team.
Those youth who compete maneuver a Klondike sled with their equipment from one town to the next around the reservation. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Gold Rush of many years past in Alaska, with towns such as Nome, Barrow, and Juneau. At each town, the team and its captain decide how to best utilize the members’ skills to solve a problem within a certain time constraint. Each team was tested on various skills including Pioneering, First Aid, Shelter Building, Orienteering, Shooting, Scout Lore, Cooking, Nature, and Flint & Steel (a.k.a. Fire Building).
The sled teams spent nine hours in 20 to 25-degree weather preparing and pulling their sleds from town to town in the competition on that day.
Junior teams are limited to Scouts 13 years old and younger. Senior teams may include Scouts up through 17 years of age. Troop 173 in Parsippany fielded one Junior and one Senior team.
The Junior team, under the leadership of Nicholas Shatynski of Whippany, and assisted by Andrei Filipescu of Parsippany, placed first out of a field of 16 teams. Additionally, the Senior team scored in the top quarter of its field. The Senior Scouts assisted in the training and guidance that the Junior team used to win in their field.
Troop 173 is one of three Scouts BSA Troops in Parsippany, but all troops may include youth from surrounding areas. More information is available by clicking here.
Parsippany Hills High School Academic Decathlon (AcDec) Team
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Hills High School Academic Decathlon (AcDec) Team took third place in the New Jersey Region III Competition. Parsippany Hills was one of ten schools that competed virtually on Saturday, January 29, and earned over 45 awards and honors, including a scholarship awarded to Lindsey Lee for receiving the highest overall score in the Region at the Varsity level. The team consisted of nine competitors and seven alternates. The competing members were: Katharine Arthur, Ram Gupta, Lindsey Lee, Adrina Livingston, Catherine Peng, Hrishikesh Reddy, Andrew Song, Ash Stone, and Danial Tanveer. Alternate team members who participated were: Waleed Alim, Kenneth Cheng, Dylan Chiu, Alexa Dela Cruz, Nishanth Makkithaya, Chaitanya Matrubai, and Adomas Vaitkus. The team will now move on to the State competition, which will be held virtually on Saturday, February 26.
Academic Decathlon is a ten-event scholastic competition for high school students. The events include math, science, social science, literature, economics, art, music, speech, essay, and interview. This year’s theme is Water: A Most Essential Resource. Team coaches are Jaclyn Bevacqua, an Italian teacher, and Jacqueline Forte, a Spanish teacher.
PARSIPPANY — Daniel Kempf was named to first honors on the Clark University Dean’s List. This selection marks outstanding academic achievement during the Fall 2021 semester.
Students must have a GPA of 3.8 or above for first honors or a GPA between 3.50 and 3.79 for second honors.
Daniel is a 2017 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School.
Founded in 1887, Clark University is a liberal arts-based research university that prepares its students to meet tomorrow’s most daunting challenges and embrace its greatest opportunities. Through 33 undergraduate majors, more than 30 advanced degree programs, and nationally recognized community partnerships, Clark fuses rigorous scholarship with authentic world and workplace experiences that empower our students to pursue lives and careers of meaning and consequence.
Judi Chase and Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Connie Keller
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Judi Chase was one of the newest members to join the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.
Club President Connie Keller said “Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome a new member to our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Judi to our club. We welcome Judi to our global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
The New Jersey District of Kiwanis International currently has 80 active Kiwanis Clubs, with a total of 1395 members. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has a total of 70 active members.
During the pandemic, Kiwanis ‘Feeding our Neighbors” has distributed over 358,400 pounds of food, to 8,980 families, over 17,000 children with a retail value of over $600,000. The next food distribution is scheduled for Saturday, March 19. Any resident that needs food can register at kiwanishelps.org. The registration is 100% confidential and is used to make sure we have enough food at each location. Other locations include Roxbury, Rockaway, Livingston, South Orange, and Maplewood.
“Kiwanis Feeding our Neighbors” was started in December 2019 by Kiwanis Club of Greater Roxbury President Cain Pope and has spread to many Morris County Kiwanis Club and other clubs in New Jersey as far away as Asbury Park, South Orange, Maplewood, Clifton, and Bridgewater.
Kiwanis does not ask for proof of income. The only thing we ask for is name, email address, the town of residence, and the number of children. The information is 100% confidential and is used to make sure we have a sufficient supply of food at each location and for informing the public of future food distributions. We are always looking for donations to support this operation. Click here to make a donation.
“Kiwanis club members believe in service,” said Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Connie Keller. “They care about children. They’re interested in the community around them because the community matters to them. They’re people like you. Friends. Neighbors. Volunteers who want to make a difference.”
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. It is not religious-based or partisan in any way.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany supports ten K-Kids clubs, Lake Parsippany Elementary School, Eastlake Elementary School, Intervale School, Mt. Tabor Elementary School, Littleton Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Troy Hills Elementary School, Northvail Elementary School, Knollwood School, and Rockaway Meadow Elementary School, two builders clubs, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School; two Key Clubs, Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School and one Aktion Club.
Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, contact President Connie Keller. Click here to view the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany website.
Soils play a key role in the carbon cycle by soaking up carbon from dead plant matter. Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and pass carbon to the ground when dead roots and leaves decompose. Deforestation to create agricultural lands can cause this soil carbon to get released at a faster rate than it can be replaced. This net release of carbon to the atmosphere further contributes to global warming.
Being disturbed by how a lot of human beings have shed their responsibility of taking care of the very environment they depend on, Anika Arora, a freshman at Parsippany Hills High School, and Divya Arora, a Seventh grader at Brooklawn Middle School, decided to take action. In 2020, they decided to launch an awareness campaign to educate their community on the adverse effects that the meat industry is having on Climate Change.
To earn a communication badge, the scout can select from a list of requirements. The scout can choose to attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) where several points of view are given on a single issue.
