PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Michael Anthony Soriano joins Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill had the honor of inducting Soriano into the club.
Cahill encourages all members to learn all you can about Kiwanis, and to strengthen your own leadership and communication skills by actively participating in the activities of the club, including attending weekly meetings, social events, and service projects.
“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 into our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Michael Soriano to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany,” said President Frank Cahill.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is holding its first Comedy Night on Friday, December 8 to a sold out crowd.
On Saturday, December 9, members of Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany will be preparing breakfast with Santa at the Parsippany Child Day Care Center.
In addition, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is collecting children’s socks, underwear and winter hats to donate to children domestic violence at Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS).
Karen DeChristopher, Co-Director Young Children Priority One, said between now and December 13 Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is seeking donations of children’s socks, underwear and winter hats for ages three to sixteen, both male and female. Items can be dropped off at IHOP, 792 Route 46 or Boiling Springs Saving Bank, 66 North Beverwyck Road.
Jersey Battered Women’s Service in Morris County is a full-service domestic violence and domestic abuse prevention agency with volunteer opportunities. The services include a 24-hour hotline; counseling; safe house; transitional living; children’s services; life skills education; vocational counseling; batterers’ intervention; legal assistance; teen dating violence services; and professional training, education and youth prevention programs.
A new member for our club means new ideas, new enthusiasm, greater fellowship—and greater service.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46 every Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. If you are interested in joining our dedicated volunteers, join us for breakfast. For additional information you can email Frank Cahill at flcahill@parsippanykiwanis.org.
PARSIPPANY — Forty-seven clubs to visit, but she actually made forty-six visits before Rotary District Governor Peggy Mader returned to her home club on December 6. She traveled from Hackettstown to Belleville with towns in between starting in July.
The celebration was held at Il Villaggio Restaurant located on Gibraltar Drive, at the Wednesday 12:15 meeting of the Parsippany Club. Peggy’s message with “Rotary: Making A Difference” will continue to be her theme for the balance of the Rotary 2017-2018 year.
Rotary District 7470 is 47 local Rotary Clubs serving, Essex, Morris, Sussex, Warren Counties and Bernardsville.
Rotary Theme “Rotary: Making A Difference”A Special Homecoming for the Governor’s Home Club Visit at Il Villagio on Wednesday, December 6
While the Governor’s Visit to his or her home club is always a celebratory event, this meeting had special significance, since Peggy and her husband Maurie, who she met at Rotary, were Governors of District 7470.
The purpose of the visits is:
To allow the District Governor to communicate directly with all Rotarians in our District.
To listen to the Club Leadership and gain better understanding of their club. To provide helpful and friendly advice to club officers as requested and to answer questions about Rotary International and the District.
To serve as a catalyst to help strengthen the programs of Rotary.
To meet the requirements that Rotary International sets for serving in the office of District Governor.
Peggy’s Visitation Schedule:
July
18
Tuesday
Denville Sunrise
7:47
July
19
Wednesday
Mendham
6:30
July
25
Tuesday
Belvidere
6:30
July
28
Friday
West Orange
12:15
Aug
1
Tuesday
Caldwell
12:00
Aug
9
Wednesday
Montville
7:30
Aug
10
Thursday
Wharton
12:15
Aug
14
Monday
Washington
6:15
Aug
15
Tuesday
Fairfield
7:47
Aug
16
Wednesday
Pequannock
12:15
Aug
17
Thursday
Belleville
12:15
Aug
18
Friday
Morris Plains
7:47
Aug
22
Tuesday
Hackettstown
12:15
Aug
22
Tuesday
Irvington
6:00
Aug
23
Wednesday
Phillipsburg
12:15
Aug
24
Thursday
Lake Hopatcong
12:15
Aug
29
Tuesday
Randolph
7:47
Aug
29
Tuesday
Vernon
7:00
Aug
30
Wednesday
Rockaway
12:15
Aug
31
Thursday
Bloomfield / Glen Ridge
12:00
Sept
6
Wednesday
Newton
12:15
Sept
7
Thursday
Roxbury
12:15
Sept
8
Friday
Branchville
12:15
Sept
11
Monday
Dover
12:15
Sept
12
Tuesday
Bernardsville
7:47
Sept
13
Wednesday
Jefferson
12:15
Sept
14
Thursday
Denville
12:15
Sept
15
Friday
Hanover
7:30
Sept
19
Tuesday
Chatham
6:30
Sept
20
Wednesday
Morristown
12:15
Sept
21
Thursday
South Orange
12:30
Sept
26
Tuesday
Livingston
12:15
Sept
27
Wednesday
Cedar Grove
6:15
Sept
28
Thursday
Chester/Long Valley
11:45
Sept
29
Friday
Florham Park
7:47
Oct
3
Tuesday
Mountain Lakes/Boonton
12:15
Oct
5
Thursday
Madison
12:15
Oct
12
Thursday
Nutley
12:15
Oct
12
Tuesday
Blairstown
7:00
Oct
16
Monday
East Orange
6:00
Oct
17
Tuesday
Newark
12:15
Oct
24
Tuesday
Livingston Sunrise
7:47
Oct
24
Tuesday
Maplewood
6:30
Oct
26
Thursday
Wallkill Valley
12:15
Oct
31
Tuesday
Montclair
12:00
Nov
2
Thursday
Netcong Stanhope
12:15
Peggy Mader has been a member of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Rotary since 1988, joining while she was a banker. Peggy admits she probably joined for the wrong reasons but she quickly went from Member of a Rotary Club to a true Rotarian. Since the first Peggy has been involved including serving in all offices in her home club, Governor’s Rep, District Secretary twice, Conference Chair twice, and Assistant Governor. She has also served on or chaired several committees including running the District Golf Outing several times, and hosted a long term exchange from France. Her husband Maurie, who she met a Rotary, served as Governor of District 7470 in 2010-11, so Peggy was very busy in a support role for him. A graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute Peggy now facilitates several times per year. She has also served as a facilitator at PETS for years.
Professionally Peggy has been a banker, worked with Maurie in his Advertising Specialties business and most recently as the Planning Board Secretary for Parsippany. All of these positions included management, working with the public and setting up meetings and communicating with board members.
In Parsippany, Peggy has served on the Knoll Country Club Advisory Committee and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Parsippany Child Day Care Center where two thirds of the children are there on stipends from various agencies.
Peggy and Maurie have enjoyed the opportunities of making-up at meetings when they traveled. She was the first female Rotarian to make up at the new Budapest Rotary in 1990, and they have made up frequently in Bermuda where she is lucky enough to have family.
They have been married for 24 years and Maurie has three children spread out across the country, in Boston, Jackson Hole and California, and four grandchildren. One highlight was taking their exchange student to both Jackson Hole and Bermuda for visits.
At the International Institute for Maurie’s year Peggy was able to really appreciate the Internationality of Rotary and is overjoyed at being able to continue her Rotary career.
The current President of the Par-Troy Rotary is Maurie Mader. To reach Maurie you can send an email by clicking here.
Nearly every school in New Jersey has increased the amount of writing students are doing – from informational writing (what we older folks knew as “reports”) to memoir/“small moment” stories to literary essay. This may cause us to question whether we are providing our young writers with the proper expanse of experiences upon which to write. Not to worry. Just like published authors, children write about what they know.
Famed author Gary Paulsen of Hatchet, Dogsong, Brian’s Winter and other Young Adult novels, is an outdoorsman who has first-hand experience with hunting and trapping. His books reflect these experiences. Similarly, John Grisham channels his background as an attorney into his legal thrillers. Children, too, write about what they know, and their stories are all the richer for it.
Take, for example, the writing produced by primary grade students after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. A first grader in my school prepared a “How to Get Ready for a Hurricane” list by writing “Get a junarater.” A kindergartner shared her story “I Lost Pawowr” with her classmates.
One of my all-time favorites is the story written by a first grader about shopping for boots with her mother. “I lokt in avye sto. I konot fob tm. hhh!!!” (Translation: I looked in every store. I could not find them. Sigh!) I love the developmentally appropriate writing, the emerging writer’s voice, and the fabulous way this young lady has captured the exasperation of the female quest for shoes.
Then, there is my son Tyler’s story about when “Grandma tried to put the oven fire on. Grandma O. almost blew up the whole house pulling on the hot or cold switch.” Tyler was 7-years-old at the time, and this comical experience of watching his grandmother trying to navigate the switches on a new stove provided the inspiration for a story that we framed and have teased Grandma O. about quite often.
What do these pieces have in common? The children have written about everyday topics in ways that reflect their childish perceptions and outlook. It doesn’t take fancy trips to provide a young writer with inspiration. Rather, it takes adults and caregivers who talk with their children and give voice to the experiences in their lives. A trip to the grocery story, a campout with Cub Scouts, having a little brother or sister, or losing power in a storm all have the potential to become stories for our student writers.
How can we best support our young writers? Think of the stories in our own lives.
What stories from my childhood do I keep coming back to?
What funny or unusual event happened today that I can retell to my child?
What personal stories do I tell my children at bedtime or other quiet moments?
By sharing those wonderfully ordinary, everyday observations with our children, we help them to see that they have their own stories to tell. So, before our children move into the world of essays and persuasive/informational writing, encourage and marvel at the beautifully simple stories they have to tell. It truly is the gateway to bigger and better writing.
Dr. Barbara Sargent is the Superintendent of Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Schools
PARSIPPANY — Allstate agency owners from across New Jersey are coming together to host a supply drive to benefit the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV). The donations will support the nonprofit’s mission to provide services to help end domestic violence and financial abuse throughout the state. The supply drive is part of a multi-state Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® donation effort that will benefit domestic violence shelters throughout Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. Ben Michalik, 342 Parsippany Road, Parsippany is your local Allstate agency supporting the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV).
Now through December 11, the public can participate by donating new winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves for women, boys and girls. A complete list of most-needed supplies can be found by clicking here.
Through their volunteer efforts, each participating Allstate agency owner will secure a $1,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands® grant. The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) will accept the grants and distribute the funding to local domestic violence nonprofits. The dates of the donation drives align with the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which NNEDV supports.
“As small business owners and community leaders, Allstate agency owners see firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing the communities they serve,” said New Jersey Region Allstate spokesperson, Joyce Buford. “Giving back is core to who they are as agency owners, which is why they’re proud to volunteer and raise funds to support survivors of domestic violence and their families across New Jersey.”
Items are being collected at the following Morris County Allstate locations including Parsippany’s Ben Michalik: 342 Parsippany Road:
·Mina Dimetry, 261 Comly Road., Lincoln Park
·Kevin Keller, 1243 Sussex Turnpike, #2, Randolph
·Venkat Mallad, 123 Morris Street, Morristown
The National Network to End Domestic Violence and NJCEDV are among thousands of organizations this year to receive Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants secured by Allstate agency owners and financial specialists for their volunteer efforts. The grants support organizations addressing domestic violence, youth empowerment, disaster preparedness, hunger and other causes.
The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants are one example of The Allstate Foundation’s legacy of service and giving for communities and nonprofits across the U.S. Each October, domestic violence nonprofits across the country participate in the Purple Purse Challenge to raise funds for financial empowerment programs for domestic violence survivors. This year, more than 220 domestic violence nonprofits participated. Along with the Allstate Foundation grants awarded, more than $4.18 million was raised during the Purple Purse Challenge. To learn more and donate, click here.
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people’s lives. For more information click here.
PARSIPPANY — Nineteen members of our Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company held an extensive training session on best methods of quickly entering locked and secured structures. The three hour training course was conducted at the Rainbow Lakes Firehouse, on Monday, December 4.
The firefighters and officers practiced and reinforced skills learned at the fire academy using forcible-entry door simulators. This is the same state of the art equipment which is used to often train firefighters in major cities like New York, Jersey City and Newark. The Rainbow Lakes volunteers then used the equipment which is carried on each of the three fire trucks in teams to practice opening locked exterior and interior-doors often encountered in firefighting.
Rainbow Lakes Fire Chief Doug Reighard said “practicing and reinforcing forcible entry skills is important as the quicker a door gets opened the faster the firefighters can make entry to save lives and property.”
The training was observed by several of the other Parsippany Fire Companies who may be interested providing on site training to their departments. With increased security and heavy duty burglar resistant doors training sessions like this become more important. This training was provided by John Riker of Firefighter University LLC. John is a retired Deputy Fire Chief with the Newark Fire Department.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — If you would like the individual attention of one-on-one private swimming instruction with one of the Y’s top instructors, sign up for 30-minute Private Swim Lessons that will take place during the week of December 18-22 on Monday through Friday only at 4:00, 4:30, and 5:00 p.m.
Lessons are available for ages three (and potty trained) through age 13.
Y membership is not required. Lessons are $20 per half-hour for members; non-members pay $35. Register now!
Limited spots available so sign up early. (Same instructors are not guaranteed.) Diving board lessons are not available. For more information, contact Aquatic Director, Ed Soder at (973) 334-2820, or email at eds@lhymca.com Parents of children with Special Needs should contact Ed prior to registering.
PARSIPPANY — Mike Ilic has earned a spot on the 2017-2018 Worcester Polytechnic Institute Wrestling team.
Mike is a graduate of Parsippany High School Class of 2017.
Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation’s first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. WPI’s talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university’s innovative Global Projects Program. There are more than 40 WPI project centers throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.
PARSIPPANY — The popular Third Friday Speaker Series continues at Temple Beth Am in Parsippany on Friday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m., with a timely and engaging speaker: Phoenix Schneider M.S.W., who will discuss Equality and Inclusion in Jewish Life for the LGBT Community.
Phoenix is the Director of the LGBTQ Initiative at Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Greater Philadelphia. Phoenix, a thought leader in the area of LGBTQ youth and mental health, has specializing in program development and direct services with LGBTQ communities and has extensive experience developing local and national programming for LGBTQ. Phoenix also works with Keshet, a national organization that strives for full LGBTQ equality and inclusion in Jewish life.
Under Phoenix’s leadership with JFCS of Greater Philadelphia, the agency was awarded The Human Rights Campaign Foundation “Seal of Recognition” for Leadership in Supporting and Serving LGBTQ Youth and Families. Phoenix was also selected to participate in a global think tank of leaders working with LGBTQ communities around the world. As a former Program Director with The Trevor Project Phoenix oversaw a safety net of suicide prevention programming for LGBTQ youth.
Phoenix’s lifelong mission is to help people seek their highest potential as well as to promote culture shifts towards full acceptance. This important and informative talk at Temple Beth Am is free and open to the public. Temple Beth Am is located at 879 South Beverwyck Rd in Parsippany.
For more information about the Third Friday Speaker Series or Temple Beth Am please contact Debbie Lesser, Temple Administrator, Temple Beth Am, 879 South Beverwyck Road. Phone: (973) 887-0046 or Email: office@tbaparsippany.org. Click here for website.
Celebrating our 52nd year, Temple Beth Am is a Reform congregation with a diverse membership living throughout Morris County, including the towns of Boonton, Denville, Lake Hiawatha, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Parsippany, Randolph and Rockaway. We open our doors to all adults and youth, singles and couples, Jews-by-birth and Jews-by-choice, and interfaith couples. Led by Rabbi Estelle Mills and Rabbi/Cantor Inna Serebro-Litvak, Temple Beth Am is an inclusive, warm and welcoming place for personal and communal prayer, solace and comfort, joyous celebration, community service, education and sharing as a vibrant Jewish congregation.
PARSIPPANY — Santa arrived just in time for the children to have breakfast at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 5 on Sunday, December 3.
Santa Breakfast at District 5
1 of 8
Logan Taylor and Brandon Schweizer Jr.
Mike Szollosy and Adam Campbell
Nicolas Limanov, Santa and Al Goldberg
Eleven month old Grayson Taylor meeting Santa for the first time
13 month old Michael Szollosy and Fireman Nick Dianuzzo
Nicolas Limanov and Robert Peluso, Jr.
The Peluso Family
President John Dente telling Santa he wants a new firetruck for Christmas
The children had the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas, as their parents took many pictures.
The volunteers also cooked up a delicious pancake, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon breakfast.
PARSIPPANY — Santa arrived in Parsippany-Troy Hills just in time to light the tree at Town Hall on Saturday, December 2.
Santa arrived with a police escort sitting on a fire truck from Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 6 just in time to help Mayor James Barberio light the Christmas tree at Town Hall.
The children was able to sip on hot chocolate supplied by Houlihan’s and have some delicious cookies supplied by ShopRite.
Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting
1 of 11
Councilman Paul Carifi, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Council President Louis Valori, Mayor James Barberio, Brenda Barberio, Angela Barberio and Councilman Michael dePierro
The Zitelli Family: Jen, Tom, Colin, Alex and Justin
The Peluso Family - Ildiko, Robert and Robert Jr.
Nicolas and Edward Limanov
Julia and Sophia Guerero and Edward Chiappa
Santa Claus with Mayor-Elect Michael Soriano
Lacey Anderson with Santa Claus
Santharam Kannan, Eleven year old Ragayi, two year old Hitesh and Laavanya Kannan
Sydney, Nathan, Ronnie, Shane and Zachary Petzinger posing with Mayor-Elect Michael Soriano
Robert Peluso Jr and Justin Stanton
Edward and Nicolas Limanov
Immediately following the tree lighting Santa met with children, and wanted to know what each child wanted him to bring to their home on Christmas eve. The children also received candy canes and a special gift from Santa.
PARSIPPANY — Global commercial real estate services organization Colliers International has announced the addition of Jennifer Flores to its Parsippany retail brokerage division. Flores, who started with the firm as an intern in the retail practice last summer, brings more than six years of construction-side commercial real estate experience to her new position as associate in Colliers’ Parsippany office.
“We are committed to growing our retail division and are very pleased to have Jennifer become our newest member,” said David A. Simon, SIOR, executive managing director and Colliers New Jersey market leader. “Jennifer has been working with us through our internship program and was able to experience our industry first hand before to making a full time commitment.”
Flores recently graduated from Montclair State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance and real estate investment, and holds an NJ Salespersons License. “I met Nancy Erickson, a Colliers executive managing director, when I was a student at Montclair, and she has served as a mentor to me ever since,” she said. “My internship here was a wonderful opportunity, and now I am grateful for the chance to start my retail brokerage career at one of the most prominent international real estate companies in the industry.”
“Jennifer is a natural when it comes to tenant and landlord representation,” noted Erickson. “From the outset, she has taken on more responsibility and shown deeper insight than most interns I have worked with previously, which is a testament to her maturity and prior experience. We are thrilled to make her a permanent member of our team.”
The Colliers New Jersey retail team – led by Nancy Erickson, Kelly Bayer and Flores – focuses on landlord and tenant representation and currently represents many high-profile local and regional assignments and expanding brands including: Bell Works in Holmdel, Montgomery Place and The Grove both in Montgomery, and 520 Broad Street (the IDT Building) in Newark. The group also represents high-profile tenants including Glow Zone, Cinemex, Ruth’s Chris, 99 Ranch, Wayne Tile, Kobeyaki, AT&T, Kiddie Academy, Scrubs & Beyond, BurgerIM, Hibbett Sports, Boxology, Agile Urgent Care, One River School and others both regionally and nationally.
Industry Involvement Fosters Professional Growth and Success
Erickson and Flores initially connected during an event hosted by Commercial Real Estate Women, Inc. New Jersey (CREW NJ) at Montclair State. For Erickson, being part of trade groups that foster education and networking, like CREW, is an important ingredient of being a successful broker.
“This industry is built on relationships,” she said. “Groups like CREW, ICSC, Ladies Pipeline and others enable professionals from every aspect of commercial real estate to come together and share knowledge. That is incredibly valuable when it comes to structuring transactions and serving clients.”
To that end, Erickson encourages her team to get involved. As a long-time member of CREW NJ and NY, Erickson, herself, recently was appointed secretary to the NJ Chapter’s incoming 2018 board. She also is a founding member of Ladies Pipeline.
Flores already is following suit. This fall she was appointed to the International Council of Shopping Center’s (ICSC’s) 2018 PA/NJ/DE Next Generation Committee. This select group of participants develops programs geared toward helping industry newcomers address challenges, interests and trends in retail real estate.
PARSIPPANY — Mention the name Grover Kemble and area music-lovers immediately think guitar and jazz – or perhaps Jimmy Durante. Few know of his career as a talented music therapist at Greystone Park, which gained him similar accolades.
Grover Kemble
Kemble, a Parsippany resident, will reminisce about his career and accomplishments as an innovative music therapist and the holiday celebrations at Greystone during a special Morris County Historical Society presentation on Sunday, December 17, 2:00 p.m., at Acorn Hall, 68 Lafayette Ave. Kemble’s creative occupational therapy, the holiday programs and work done by Greystone staff perpetuated Greystone physician Thomas Kirkbride’s philosophy of creating a warm and caring environment to improve the health of the mentally ill.
For example, patients performed annually in staff-assisted talent shows. “In each production,” Kemble has written, “expressive, emotive processes take place that aid in healing and restoring psychiatric patients’ sense of personal wholeness and well-being.”
The son of a Greystone psychiatrist, Kemble began his career in therapy as a young volunteer at Greystone in the 1960s. By the 1980s, following his formal education and with a career as a professional musician, Kemble returned to Greystone and spent over 20 years leading, growing and broadening the hospital’s occupational therapy program.
Tickets are $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors, $7.00 for students, and free for MCHS members and children. As seating is limited, advance ticket purchases are encouraged through the MCHS website by clicking here or by calling MCHS at (973) 267-3465.
Founded in 1945, MCHS is a member-supported 501 (c)3 organization whose mission is to preserve and promote the history of Morris County.
MONTVILLE — Senator Joe Pennacchio’s legislative office will continue its holiday tradition of collecting toy donations to support local organizations that help children. All are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at the Senator’s district office in Montville.
Pictured are toys collected in 2016 for local organizations by Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislative office. Donations will again be collected at his Montville office through Friday, December 15. (SenateNJ.com)
“The holiday season is a time for us to come together to support those in need, and teach our own children the value of making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate,” Senator Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) said. “It is truly a privilege to open our doors as a collection site for children in need. I urge my constituents to take the time to make a donation and embrace the spirit of generosity that this season inspires.”
Senator Pennacchio’s legislative office will be collecting toys for children up to age twelve through Friday, December 15.
Donations may be delivered to the 26th District Office between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday.
The district office is located in Unit A1 at 170 Changebridge Road, Montville.
Please call (973) 227-4012 for directions or with any questions.
SPARTA — Project Help a local charity devoted to helping veterans and their families and will be providing Christmas Gifts for the children of local military veterans.
This is the second annual Santa Shop that Project Help is sponsoring at the Sparta Middle School on Route 517 in Sparta on December 14. Toys are being collected by the West Milford American Legion and all are welcome to donate.
The Christmas shop is open to the parents to come and shop, at no cost, for all the gifts they need for their children. Project Help also hopes to have gift cards for food and gas for the families as well as the toys.
If you would like to contribute an unwrapped toy, new hats, gloves and scarves or gift cards, the deadline is December 13. The Santa Shop setup time is 5:00 p.m. and the program start time is 6:00 p.m. There are at least 20 children to make happy on Christmas morning, boys and girls ages 4-17. Suggested teen items could be hats, gloves, hair jewelry etc. Contact (973) 875-2068 or email sandy@mitchellclan.com for drop off instructions.
Sandy Mitchell, Executive Director of Project Help, will address the veterans who are enrolled in the Military Families Night Out program hosted by the Center for Prevention in Newton. Mitchell will talk to the veterans about the resources that Project Help can supply to them and their families, all of whom have fallen upon hard times, or have just not succeeded as they’d hoped.
Project Help, Inc., a 501(c)3 Charity, is incorporated in Sussex County. “Our mission, said Mitchell, is to help Veterans and their families during difficult times. We cover the seven northern counties in assisting Veterans in getting their lives back together.” She is also the founded of Project Help and knows only too well the aftermath of war. She was married to a Vietnam Vet and has a special place in her heart for all veterans of every war. “Many are lost in war and many as the result of being in war”, said Sandy, who lost her husband after he returned home from Vietnam.
Project Help is growing quickly and expansion creates a massive need for reliable volunteers, committee and board members. If you would like to help, just contact them at (973) 875-2068.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad gave a basic overview of the ambulance to students at St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group.
Sister Sylvia Berzinski coordinated the group of children to learn about Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
The lesson was on Ambulances and EMT’s helping our community. The members gave the kids and parents a basic overview of what Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad does on a daily basis. They also demonstrated the use of the equipment.
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
The children inside of an ambulance
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
EMT’sRev. Don Bragg and Jack Reed demonstrate for the children
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
St. Peters Little Peanuts Play group learning about Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad
The St. Peter’s Peanut Playgroup is for preschool children and their parents/guardians. Its purpose is to teach children to interact with each other and act as an emotional support for parents. The group meets every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the Church Hall. It is open to all children of the parish from birth to age five. Parents must accompany and supervise their children. There are some outings, such as pumpkin picking in October, and occasionally other trips. All parishioners are welcome to join us with their children each week.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Henry Simon is a sculptor who creates with copper and bronze.
All of his sculptures are crafted from common materials: plumbing pipes, roofing copper, copper wire, brass, and other everyday items. I have recently started to experiment with color using glass enamel powder melted with a blowtorch.
Henry Simon was born the son of sharecroppers in Lake City, South Carolina. Because they were so poor, his father taught him and his brothers to make toys like busses, cars, and farm equipment.
They used aluminum soda cans and coat hanger wire, as well as wire from bales of hay and electrical cattle fences. Henry’s schooling came to a halt when his father became ill and he had to replace him in the fields to feed the large family. After moving to New Jersey, Henry began his career in the international moving business. He never abandoned his interest in sculpture, first teaching himself to solder and then to weld. He became interested in assembling found objects, plumbing pipes, roofing copper and brass into larger and more intricate sculptures. He started entering art shows and craft fairs.
His work sold well and some commissioned pieces have been sent as far as Germany and Poland. In 1985, Henry was commissioned to create a full sized sculpture of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that was dedicated by former Governor Thomas Kean of New Jersey and has been permanently installed in Passaic County Community College in Paterson. This event was covered by all major area newspapers including the New York Times and television news stations. Henry was interviewed in a segment of “Midday Live” with Bill Boggs, and on “Images /Imagiones” on public television.
His sculptures have been displayed throughout the area. His most recent creation, Zonora Plays Carnegie Hall. a life sized sculpture of an African American woman playing the violin was displayed at the Paterson Museum in February and March of 2007. Henry is the recipient of the Parsippany, New Jersey Mayor’s Award.
Simon said “My sculptures reflect my life. Many of them portray people and things that I remember from my childhood in the rural south. Since I have never taken an art lesson in my life, I feel that these works are really extensions of myself. I am not happy unless I am working on a sculpture and always have something in progress in my workshop. I feel that my work has steadily progressed as I have learned by trial and error new techniques and materials to incorporate into my sculptures. I have recently started to experiment with color using glass enamel powder melted with a blowtorch. My mission is to bring some visual pleasure and beauty to those that see my work and to perhaps allow them to look at the world through my eyes if only for a moment.”
My letter to the Mayor-Elect of Parsippany the day after he was elected.
Dear Mayor-Elect Soriano: Congratulations once again on your victory! My family and I are looking forward to the positive change that you will bring to Parsippany!
I am writing you about a major concern that I have regarding what appears to be a significant increase in burglaries and car thefts in our area. Just last night, my neighbors car was stolen from our street and a few months ago another car was stolen from a driveway on the next street. These occurrences have struck fear in the hearts of families throughout our neighborhood in Lake Parsippany. It makes us wonder how and why criminals are roaming the same streets that we walk with our families and friends. I am sure that you have a full plate of issues to address as you transition into office.
However, I hope that you can prioritize this issue. I’d like to know what ideas you have to maintain the reputation Parsippany has had for many years of being a township that is safe for families. I believe that the community also has a responsibility to keep the town safe. As such, I would like to know what we can do as a community to help law enforcement and each other to keep the town safe. (Neighborhood watch, external cameras, etc…)
Thanks so much for your time and a sincere best wishes for your success.
DENVILLE — The Morris County Young Republicans held their November meeting at Charlie Brown’s.
Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi sponsored the event and spoke to the audience about all the services offered by the Clerk’s office.
In addition, the 2018 officers were elected. They are State Committeeman Justin Musella, State Committeewoman Tia-Lynn Fritze, Vice Chair Kevin Stales, Chair Sydney Ugalde, Secretary Joe Bock, Treasurer Julie Lapatka.
2018 Officers: State Committeeman Justin Musella, State Committeewoman Tia-Lynn Fritze, Vice Chair Kevin Stales, Chair Sydney Ugalde, Secretary Joe Bock, Treasurer Julie LapatkaFreeholder-elect Heather Darling, Nicolas Limanov and Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi
Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi speaking to the members of Morris County Young RepublicansMorris County Clerk Ann Grossi President Morris County Young Republicans and Chair Joseph Bock
The Morris County Young Republicans is a chapter within the New Jersey Young Republican Federation. We are one of the most active Young Republican clubs in the State of New Jersey. In 2016, we were proud to receive the NJYRF’s Award for “Club of the Year.” With increased membership and fundraising this past year, including for charity, the Young Republicans take pride in improving their community and working on key races for Republicans in 2017.
Several members and former members have run for and won elected office. They continue to support fellow Young Republicans in their campaigns and making a difference.
Associate or Regular Members of Morris County Young Republicans Club for the Year 2017 are Senator Anthony Bucco, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, Jr., Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Assemblyman Richard Kamin, Assemblyman Jay Webber, County Clerk Ann Grossi, Freeholder Doug Cabana, Freeholder John Cesaro, Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo, Freeholder W. Hank Lyon (Regular Member), Freeholder Tom Mastrangelo, Freeholder Christine Meyers, Freeholder Deborah Smith, Sheriff James Gannon, Sheriff Ed Rochford
Boonton Town Alderman Dan Piccioni, Boonton Town Alderwoman Doris Yanez, Denville Councilman Gene Fitzpatrick, Denville Councilman John Murphy, Jefferson Councilman Robert Birmingham, Long Hill Committeeman Guy Piserchia, Mine Hill Councilman Dave Bloom, Morris Plains Mayor Frank Dreutzler, Morris Township Mayor Bruce Sisler (Former YR Chairman), Morris Township Councilman Matheu Nunn (Regular Member), Nutley Commissioner Steven Rogers, Parsippany Mayor James Barberio, Parsippany Councilman Michael DePierro, Parsippany Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani, Parsippany Councilman Robert Peluso, Parsippany Councilman Dr. Louis Valori, Randolph Mayor Christine Carey, Randolph Councilman James Loveys, Randolph Councilwoman Joanne Veech, Rockaway Borough Councilman Tom Mulligan, Rockaway Township Mayor Michael Dachisen, Roxbury Councilman Robert DeFiliippo, Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady and Sussex County Freeholder Hal Wirths.
Grossi grew up in Parsippany and lives in her family home with her husband and daughter. Ann considers herself a public servant, not a politician, who has dedicated her life to serving the people, her community and the residents of Morris County. She was awarded a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law, MA and BA from William Paterson College of NJ, and AA from County College of Morris. Ann is a member of the Morris County Bar Association, and is admitted to the NJ Bar, the US District Court for the District of NJ and the NJ Supreme Court. Ann has served Morris County for many years at the grass root level. In 2013, she was elected as Morris County Clerk, where she manages six diverse departments; staffed by 38 employees.
Currently, she serves on the Board for the Morris County Library Foundation and a continues as a public member of the Picatinny Technology Innovation Center. Ann has been honored by various organizations. They are as follows: in 2011, Ann was honored as Woman of the Year by the Parsippany Republican Club, in 2012 as Outstanding Italian American by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Community Affairs Unit, and the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey, as Outstanding Woman of Achievement by the Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce, in 2014, she was recognized as Outstanding Alumni by the County College of Morris and in 2015, for her contribution to UNI CO National.
PARSIPPANY — On Thursday, November 30, Dhiren Mathias, owner of MAX Challenge of East Hanover/Parsippany was inducted into Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. Club member Nicolas Limanov, sponsored Dhiren and presented him with Kiwanis membership pin and certificate.
“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 into our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Dhiren Mathias to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany,” said President Frank Cahill.
Cahill continued “We welcome you to this global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Would you, Nicolas, please place the pin on Dhiren’s lapel? Dhiren, by presenting you with this certificate of membership, I welcome you, on behalf of the entire membership, into the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.”
A new member for our club means new ideas, new enthusiasm, greater fellowship—and greater service.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46 every Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. If you are interested in joining our dedicated volunteers, join us for breakfast. For additional information you can email Frank Cahill at flcahill@parsippanykwianis.org.