PARSIPPANY — Sustainable Jersey representatives announced that the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills has met the rigorous requirements to achieve Sustainable Jersey certification. Parsippany is one of 52 municipalities that have attained certification in 2021 and was honored at the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon on November 16, 2021, in Atlantic City at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference. Sustainable Jersey’s participating communities represent over 81 percent of the state’s municipalities.

“This has been four years in the making,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “I’m proud of our Township employees who worked so hard in putting this together, and finally achieving this important benchmark for our community. Thanks to the tremendous support we’ve received from Sustainable Jersey and our Parsippany Green Team, we have set the stage for the Township to become Silver Certified next year, and Gold Certified in the years ahead. Sustainability is the best way we can address the critical challenges facing our region and our world. Through green initiatives, we can invigorate our economy, and continue being good stewards of God’s earth.”

To become Sustainable Jersey certified, Parsippany submitted documentation to show it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 150 action points. In addition, each certified community had to create a green team and select at least two out of thirteen priority action options. Parsippany completed two of the 13 priority actions by implementing a prescription drug safety and disposal program and a sustainable land use pledge.

“The certified towns exemplify the commitment we need to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world. As New Jersey faces issues such as the climate crisis, a growing equity divide and environmental pollution, it is essential that we support municipalities as they do the hard work to meet these challenges at the local level,” said Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “These communities are helping New Jersey build back better after the COVID-19 pandemic and it is our honor to work with them as we strive for a better tomorrow!” Certified towns excelled in areas such as improving energy efficiency, health and wellness, reducing waste, sustaining local economies, protecting natural resources and advancing the arts.

About Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey
Known as The Crossroads of Northern New Jersey, Parsippany is the largest municipality in Morris County, with over 56,000 residents and counting. Adopting sustainable and environmentally conscious practices to address climate issues could have considerable impacts on adoption by other municipalities in the region. Increased focus on sustainable living has shown improvements to community health, neighborhood aesthetics, and many other higher standards to living.

About Sustainable Jersey
Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training, and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. As New Jersey faces issues such as the climate crisis, a growing equity divide, and environmental pollution, municipalities want to be a part of the solution to these challenges. Sustainable Jersey participants (municipalities and schools) have successfully implemented and documented over 20,826 sustainability actions. Sustainable Jersey has provided over $6.7 million in grants to municipalities, school districts, and schools for community-based projects that create healthy and sustainable communities in New Jersey.  Sustainable Jersey is administered by The Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey.

Website: www.SustainableJersey.com; www.SustainableJerseySchools.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sj_program; https://twitter.com/sj_schools
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SustainableJersey
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sustainable_jersey/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainable-jersey

PARSIPPANY —  Betty Lagitch, Co-Chair for Membership, installed three new members Veronica (Ronnie) Fagan, Diane Campbell, and Karen Phelps on Monday, November 22 at the Club’s November General Meeting.

Ronnie, Diane, and Karen join an enthusiastic group of volunteers brought together in fellowship and service to promote projects that produce positive outcomes in the areas of education, culture, and civic betterment of the community

New members are always welcome to join the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills, established in 1954. Our club is one of over 200 clubs that make up the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC. NJSFWC is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. 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, Twitter, and Instagram.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners last night approved $1.3 million to acquire and preserve a total of 43 acres in 2021 Open Space projects spanning four towns.

The projects, recommended on November 10 by the Morris County’s Open Space Trust Fund Committee, were approved during the board’s recent public meeting in Morristown. In addition to the Parsippany property, other properties include  Dover, Montville, and Chatham Township, and range in sizes from one-fifth of an acre to nearly 20 acres.

OPEN SPACE PROJECTS APPROVED FOR MORRIS COUNTY GRANTS:

Kosut Property Acquisition
• Applicant: Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills
• 5.44 acres
• Award: $450,000
• Description: This property is located off Knoll Road, surrounded by land north and south that was previously preserved and is owned by Parsippany Township as part of the 11.1-acre Fieldfair Property. The property is located across the street from watershed lands surrounding the Boonton Reservoir (also known as the Jersey City Reservoir), and it was the subject of a $659,000 grant through the 2020 Open Space grant program. Parsippany Township envisions developing the property into a park and recreational facility.

Jean Drive Preserve Acquisition
• Applicant: Township of Montville
• 19.62 acres
• Award: $465,000
• Description: This property lies in the Towaco Valley Aquifer Critical Water Resources District, between Old Lane and Jean Drive. The protection of this aquifer and its associated water supply lands is a priority for Montville Township, which envisions passive recreation for the property, including hiking, walking, and bird watching. The acquisition also would expand township-owned lands in the region.

East Blackwell Street Property Acquisition
• Applicant: Town of Dover
• 0.20 acres
• Award: $35,000
• Description: This vacant residential lot is located on the south side of East Blackwell Street at the T-intersection of Sammis Avenue and adjacent to a trout-stocked section of the Rockaway River. Dover envisions passive recreation for the property, which is near Dover’s downtown area and would provide a convenient outdoor space for all to enjoy.

McDon Fen Property Acquisition
• Applicant: Trust for Public Land
• Located in Chatham Township
• 17.74 acres
• Award: $350,000
• Description: The acquisition involves two contiguous properties that front, in part, Southern Boulevard. They abut the southeast end of Nash Park, a popular local park with amenities including a playground, basketball court, bleachers and multiple fields. The larger of the two, largely wooded and marshy properties contains a tributary of Black Brook that drains into the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and ultimately the Passaic River.
• Chatham Township will own the property upon acquisition and utilize it for the expansion of Nash Park.

Funding for open space acquisitions and preservation comes from the voter-approved Morris County Open Space & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, which is generated by a special county tax. The funding source also is used for farmland and historic preservation, county parkland acquisition, trail construction, and the purchase of residential properties prone to flooding.

Prior to last night’s approval, the Morris County Open Space Program had awarded $318,760,878 in grants for 486 applications since 1994. To date, applicants have successfully closed on 416 of those projects, preserving 17,668 acres – a combined acreage larger than Parsippany Township and almost as large as Chester Township. This is all in addition to lands that have been preserved and improved through the other Preservation Trust Fund Programs: Farmland Preservation, Historic Preservation, Flood Mitigation, and Trails Construction.

MORRIS COUNTY — Market Street Mission in Morristown along with our Jersey Shore Rescue Mission location in Asbury Park gave out thousands of coats to members of the community in our annual Coat Giveaway events. The Market Street Mission has been giving out free winter gear every November for the past 31 years, and the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission for about 15 years.

This event is a great opportunity to reach out and care for our local community, making sure that families have the clothing they need to stay warm throughout the winter.

During the month of October, we received an outpouring of support from the community who donated the coats for us to give away. Thank you to the local individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations who worked together to collect thousands of winter clothing items for our neighbors in need!

On Saturday, November 6, more than 400 people visited Morristown Green to receive 1,800 coats, along with hats, gloves, and scarves for themselves and their families. Volunteers provided goody bags for the children in attendance as well. Two weeks later, on Saturday, November 20, they were able to serve 375 people at our Mission at 701 Memorial Drive in Asbury Park, providing them with 1,100 coats as well as hats, gloves, and scarves.they

We are so grateful for our volunteers who helped each Coat Giveaway run smoothly! The 75 volunteers at Market Street and 80 volunteers at Jersey Shore assisted the community members in choosing their coats and winter accessories, managed the lines to keep things running smoothly, and handed out refreshments to our guests.

One of our community guests said of his experience: “I have been coming to the Coat Giveaway for many years with my entire family. It’s been a blessing to be able to get my kids warm coats for the winter. We are so grateful the Mission is here!”

As the weather begins to turn colder, we are blessed to be able to provide for the needs of our neighbors, and we are grateful for the community support that makes our Coat Giveaways possible each year!

The Market Street Mission and its Jersey Shore Rescue Mission location are an experienced organization with a proven method of helping fight alcoholism, substance abuse, hunger, and homelessness in northern and central New Jersey. As a private non-profit we rely on the charitable support of compassionate donors to provide more than 110,000 meals and 30,000 nights of shelter per year. For more information on our emergency services, free addiction recovery program, community counseling services, and thrift stores please visit  www.marketstreet.org or www.jerseyshorerescue.org.

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.”