PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills (WCPTH) held its Fifth Annual Spelling Bee, on Friday January 10.

Twenty-seven students were selected from area Fifth Grade Elementary Schools to participate in the Spelling Bee, which was held at Parsippany Hills High School.  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, Kristen Comeaux, Lake Hiawatha Library Children’s Department Head, and William Westhoven, reporter at Gannett NJ Daily Record.  Mary Ann Coyne, WCPTH club member and chairman of the Fifth Annual Spelling Bee, was the Moderator and club member Marianne Burke was the Pronouncer.   After 32 nail-biting rounds a winner was declared. The winning word was “duet”.  Taking First Place was Krishil Patel from Eastlake Elementary School; Second Place was captured by Medha Vavilala from Mount Tabor Elementary School and Shritha Kethireddy, from Littleton Elementary School came in Third Place.

All three winners are invited to participate in the New Jersey State Federated Women’s Club (NJSFWC) Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday, February 8 in Rockaway.  The Regional 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, March 7 in New Brunswick.

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. Their next General Meeting is on Monday, January 27.

For more information call Marilyn at 973-539-3703, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, or click here.

PARSIPPANY — Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar announced the launch of its 4th annual Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest, which will recognize top teachers – as nominated by their students – by awarding them with a sponsorship check and end-of-year class party, courtesy of Applebee’s. The contest is being offered at Applebee’s restaurants in New Jersey owned and operated by local franchisee Doherty Enterprises, including Parsippany Applebee’s, 1057 Route 46, Troy Hills Shopping Center.

Applebee’s will award four deserving teachers from 13 counties* with a $500 sponsorship check to use toward their classroom for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year, along with an end-of-year party for their current class. To nominate a teacher, students must submit an essay in-person at their local Applebee’s explaining why their teacher deserves to be “Teacher of the Year.” To sweeten the deal, students who enter an essay will receive a FREE ice cream certificate** for Applebee’s. Contest submissions will be accepted at participating Applebee’s restaurants through March 1, and winners will be announced on Monday, April 6.

“We are thrilled to be holding our fourth annual Above and BEEyond Teacher Essay Contest at our New Jersey restaurants,” said Kevin Coughlin, director of operations, Applebee’s New Jersey. “Our restaurants are committed to giving back to the local community, especially schools within the communities we serve. The overwhelming support from last year’s campaign reminded us what an integral role teachers play in building a better community.”

Doherty Enterprises is committed to involvement in the communities it serves and is proud to support education year-round through its “A is for Applebee’s” program, which was created for teachers, libraries and scout leaders to use as an incentive for children to succeed and be rewarded. The program gives children an incentive to go the extra mile to help other students, read more books and make the Honor Roll. By obtaining the certificate from Applebee’s, children also gain a sense of accomplishment. Through this, and several other initiatives including donations, fundraisers, sponsorships and participation in community events, Doherty Enterprises gives back to local causes, helping organizations grow and flourish.

For more information about how Doherty Enterprises and its restaurants support local communities, or to get involved in one of the youth programs, visit www.dohertyinc.com/community-connection.

Applebee’s Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest entries will be accepted at the following locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises in New Jersey: Parsippany, Brick, Bridgewater, Butler, Clark, Clifton, Edison, Flemington, Garfield, Hackensack, Hackettstown, Hillsborough, Howell, Jersey City, Jersey Gardens, Kearny, Lacey, Linden, Manahawkin, Manalapan, Manchester, Middletown, Milltown, Mt. Olive, Newark, Newton, North Bergen, Northvale, Ocean, Paramus, Phillipsburg, Piscataway, Rockaway, Tinton Falls, Totowa, Union, and Wall.

*One winner will be selected from each set of counties, grouped together by the following geographic areas, – (Bergen, Passaic, Hudson), (Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union), (Morris, Sussex, Essex), (Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean)

**Limit one per person. Valid only at participating Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises.

About Applebee’s®
Applebee’s Grill & Bar brings together a lively bar & grill experience offering hand-crafted drinks and craveable, simple, American food with flare featuring vibrant flavors and real, fresh ingredients. All Applebee’s restaurants are owned and operated by entrepreneurs dedicated to serving their communities and offering the best in food and drinks with neighborly, genuine service. With more than 2,000 locations in 49 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and 15 countries, Applebee’s is one of the world’s largest casual dining brands. Applebee’s restaurants are franchised by DineEquity Inc.’s (NYSE: DIN) subsidiary, Applebee’s Franchisor LLC and its affiliates.

About Doherty Enterprises, Inc.
Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises, Inc. is recognized as the 59th largest privately-held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business, the 28th largest privately-held company in New Jersey by NJBIZ and the 15th largest franchisee in the United States by Restaurant Finance Monitor, and operates six restaurant concepts including: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, Quaker Steak & Lube and two of its own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas. In 2018, Nation’s Restaurant News ranked Doherty Enterprises as the 77th largest Foodservice revenue company in the United States. To date, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates over 150 restaurants in northern, southern and central New Jersey, on Long Island, as well as locations throughout Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and sections of Florida and Georgia. The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Communities We Serve” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow Our People, Wow Our Communities and Wow Our Suppliers.” (www.DohertyInc.com).

MORRIS COUNTY — Applying for Financial Aid can seem overwhelming, but it makes good sense to find out what may be available to fulfill your goal to obtain a higher education. The Financial Aid Office at County College of Morris (CCM) will be holding workshops for students to assist them in submitting the 2020-21 or the 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application or the New Jersey Alternative Application for New Jersey Dreamers.

A special Saturday session will be held on Saturday, January 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on the CCM campus, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, in Henderson Hall, Room 114. Registration is required and due to limited seating, only one guest, along with the applicant, may attend the workshop.

CCM financial aid advisors also will be available to meet with individuals at the CCM Financial Aid Office located at the Student Community Center , Room 210 from January 21, through January 31, Monday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon.  Registration is required. FAFSA or the New Jersey Alternative Application for New Jersey Dreamers is required of all students who plan to utilize financial aid to help them meet their educational expenses.

To attend the special Financial Aid Workshop on January 18 or to register for an individual appointment click here.

CCM  is now offering the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG), a tuition assistance program to students. The CCOG may cover the full cost of tuition and approved educational fees for 6-18 credits after all federal, state, institutional and community aid have been applied.

To qualify, students need to have a family adjusted gross income of no more than $65,000, not already have an associate or bachelor’s degree, be registered for 6–18 credits, and have completed the FAFSA or if a New Jersey Dreamer the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.

The first step to qualify for tuition-free funding is to apply to CCM, which can be done byc clicking here. Then fill out the FAFSA by clicking here  or if a New Jersey Dreamer the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application by clicking here. The deadline to apply for the FAFSA is February 15, 2020.

CCOG is not just for traditional students. Those in the workforce who would like to earn or complete their college degree also may quality.

For more information click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — The young musicians of Morris County’s Lakeland Youth Symphony treated family and friends to a memorable evening of holiday tunes on Sunday, December 15. String players ranging from ages 5 to 18 delighted the audience during the Lakeland Youth Symphony’s Annual Holiday Concert at Parsippany Hills High School.

The beginners of the Prelude class, taught by Ms. Angel Liu, charmed the audience followed up by the Lakeland Strings Orchestra. Violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists ranging in age from 6 to 12 years old comprise this orchestra, which is conducted by Ms. Carol Meiseles.

The Youth Ensemble, conducted by Ms. Sue On, progressed to a more advanced level of play with other holiday selections. The audience was mesmerized by the 11 to 18 year olds of the Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Petko Dimitrov. The advanced level of play was demonstrated in sophisticated pieces of music by Ludwig Van Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A Major Season Finale Music, impressing the audience and creating some of the evening’s most memorable moments.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano participated/performed musical GPS with Youth Ensemble orchestra. He made this season’s musical event more memorable.

Lakeland Youth Symphony’s sparkling holiday gift of a musical evening was one to be thankful for during this season of giving.

Since the 1957-58 Season, the Lakeland Youth Symphony Orchestra has provided musical education and performance opportunities for young string musicians in Northern New Jersey for 61 years.

The Lakeland Youth Symphony is a not-for-profit organization. Most number of students come from Parsippany, Boonton, Whippany, Mountain Lakes, Rockaway, Livingston. A scholarship program exists to make this opportunity accessible to all. If you would like more information about their programs click here.

Image Contribution: Don Heinrich & Bobbi Patham
Article: Pappaparvathi ‘Bobbi’ Patham

PARSIPPANY — Aimee Osterman a junior Early Elementary Education major at York College of Pennsylvania, has been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2019 semester.

Aimee is a 2017 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School and was a Camp Counselor at Harbor Hills Day Camp.

To be eligible for this honor, a student must be registered for at least 12 academic credit hours and earn a semester GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Located in south central Pennsylvania, York College offers more than 70 baccalaureate majors in professional programs, the sciences, and humanities to its 4,100 undergraduate students. The College also offers master’s programs in business, education, and nursing, and a doctorate in nursing practice. A center of affordable academic excellence, York is dedicated to the intellectual, professional, and social growth of its students. The College helps them develop a concrete plan to attain academic growth and career success; encourages them to try in the “real world” what they learn in the classroom; and prepares them to be professionals in whatever career they pursue.