PARSIPPANY – Students from schools based in Parsippany, East Hanover, Kinnelon, Dover, Pompton Plains, Madison, Morristown, Mt. Olive, Rockaway and Boonton were honored as Mayo Performing Arts Center October Music Students of the Month – Outstanding Vocalist — prior to the Friday, October 30, performance of “Bewitched Broadway.”

The students were recognized for their achievements on stage prior to the concert, and had a chance to meet the performers prior to the concert.

Students were nominated by their teachers and were chosen by the Theatre’s Education Department based on their commitment to and excellence in the performing arts. The Theatre will honor a group of students every month throughout the season and invites area teachers to nominate students for this honor. Students will be invited to perform at a year-end recital in June.

The 2015-2016 Music Student of the Month program is sponsored by The Provident Bank Foundation.

Sarah Lepre a seventh grade student from Central Middle School, was nominated by Adam Aguanno.

Not only does Sarah stand out as an outstanding vocalist, but she has great enthusiasm and passion for singing. As a sixth grader last year she impressively starred as Tinkerbell in Central Middle School’s production of Peter Pan Jr. As a lover of musical theater she has participated in several musicals outside of school including Shrek the Musical at Hoboken Summerstage, Legally Blonde Jr. with the New Vision Players in Paramus, and in Gypsy with the Old Library Theatre in Fairlawn. She was awarded the Best Youth Actress award for 2014 from the Old Library Theatre! In addition to musical theatre she has been taking singing, acting, and dance lessons for five years at Gateway to the Arts in Boonton. She is also a member of her church choir at St. Ann’s Parish.

PARSIPPANY — Members of the Wine Tasting Committee of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany met on Monday, November 16 to finalize this years successful event.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation hosted its 19th Annual “Grand Tasting” benefitting Camp Nejeda, serving children with Type 1 Diabetes since 1958, and other charitable projects on Thursday, October 22 at the Hanover Manor, 16 Eagle Rock Avenue, East Hanover.

Wines were arranged by Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars, click here for more information.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation.

Camp Nejeda has been in continuous operation since 1958 and at our present location since 1960. They are funded by the Camp Nejeda Foundation, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Camp Nejeda is located at 910 Saddleback Road, Stillwater, New Jersey.

At Camp Nejeda youth with diabetes are given the opportunity to live, if only for one or two weeks, in a world where having diabetes is the norm and where there is no need to explain blood sugar testing, finger pricks, insulin injections, ketones, ‘lows’ (insulin reactions), boluses or ‘carb’ counting because everyone here already understands.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46, each Thursday at 7:15 a.m. for breakfast.

For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here.

PARSIPPANY — Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar® locations announced today its annual Breakfast with Santa fundraiser will take place on Saturday, December 5 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The fundraiser will support the efforts of the U.S. Marines Corps Toys for Tots program, currently in its 67^th year, which distributes new toys to underprivileged children to brighten the holidays, unify local communities and deliver a message of hope. 

Applebees is located at 1057 Route 46, in the Troy Hills Shopping Center.

Guests can enjoy breakfast compliments of Applebee’s along with goodies, raffle tickets for door prizes and the opportunity to take a photo with Santa Claus.

Tickets to Breakfast with Santa, which can be purchased by calling or visiting a local Applebee’s, are $10.00 each, and advanced reservations are required as seating is limited.

Children under the age of two are admitted free of charge. Applebee’s will raise additional funds by selling paper “gift packages” for $1.00 each, which will be displayed in the restaurants. 100% of the proceeds from the Breakfast with Santa events and “gift package” purchases will be donated directly to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program to be distributed to local families. 

“We are proud to once again partner with Toys for Tots for the 2015 holiday season, said Ed Doherty, founder and CEO of Doherty Enterprises.  “Charitable giving is a focus within our company and the restaurants we operate, and our employees go above and beyond to do all they can to raise awareness and funds. As is it the season of giving, we are proud to be able to support this fantastic organization and its efforts within our local communities.”

Heading into its 17^th year, Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises, which owns 107 Applebee’s restaurants across New Jersey, New York, Florida and Georgia, have raised over $3.6 million for the Toys for Tots initiative to date, helping to spread holiday cheer to over 230,000 deserving children.

“We are grateful to Doherty Enterprises and their continued support over the last sixteen years as a corporate sponsor,” said retired Marine General Pete Osman, the President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.  “Ed Doherty and everyone on his team work extremely hard to make this program a success year after year, and we are fortunate to have them as a partner, as their generous contributions help us continue toward our goal of building better communities by providing support and hope.”

In addition to Toys for Toys, Doherty-owned Applebee’s restaurants provide support for charitable causes in the communities they serve year-round under the leadership of CEO Ed Doherty. To date, Applebee’s has raised and donated over $1.9 million for local charities through 1,350 events and sponsorships.

Just in time for the holidays, for every $50.00 gift card purchase, guests will receive a mystery bonus card, containing a value of up to $25.00. Offer valid now through December 31. Bonus cards valid from next visit through February 28.

About Doherty Enterprises, Inc.
Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises, Inc. is recognized as the 68^th largest privately-held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business and the 10^th  largest franchisee in the United States as ranked in the Restaurant Finance Monitor, operating eight restaurant concepts including: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, Quaker Steak & Lube, Noodles & Company, IHOP, and two of its own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas. In 2015, Nation’s Restaurant News ranked Doherty Enterprises as the 78^th largest U.S. Foodservice revenue company, up from 85 in 2014. To date, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates over 160 restaurants in northern, southern and central New Jersey, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Florida and Georgia – including newly acquired locations in the Miami area. 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).

Toys for Tots, a 66 year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children during each Christmas holiday season.  The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime.  It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community.  Last year the Marine Corps fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 6.8 million less fortunate children in 762 communities nationwide.  Since 1947 over 222 million children have been assisted. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.