MORRIS COUNTY — NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices and the Office of the Morris County Sheriff officially announce starting Friday, January 6 and running ten consecutive Friday nights through March 10, 2023, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

This major initiative by The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices, in conjunction with Mennen Arena, will provide families, especially children, with an opportunity to have fun with their friends in a safe, chaperoned, healthy, drug-free environment.

Those partaking in the program sponsored by the Coalition will be afforded a reduction in the price of admission and skate rental.  The total cost of this event will be $7.00 per person (normally $12.00) and will include admission, skate rental and a full night of ice skating to the music of The Great DJ Earl.  Mennen Arena also has a snack bar which will be open all night for those who care to indulge. Snacks are not included in the price of admission.

Each Friday night will have a different theme with the hope of not only entertaining our children but creating interest in new activities, hobbies, and possible future career opportunities to which they might not have otherwise been exposed.

Examples of future highlights:

• Law Enforcement Night
  Many township police departments and law enforcement agencies will be on hand to display equipment, explain its purpose, and, most importantly, allow our youngsters to meet and greet true heroes.
• Fire Fighter Night
• Martial Arts and Fitness Night
• Dance Night
• Photo IDs supplied by Morris County Sheriff’s Department for any child that would like one and at no cost.

Further themes and activities will be announced shortly.

The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices is a new action and result-oriented team comprised of several law enforcement agencies, educators, elected officials, scouts, organized sports, musicians, businesses, and parents working together to unite our communities in the war against drug and alcohol addiction.

PARSIPPANY — After two years of hiatus, the India Culture Foundation, aka Parsippany Indian Association, organized their 27th Grand Holiday celebration program.

The program, held at Parsippany Hills High School auditorium, began with dinner catered by the Chand Palace of Martinsville, followed by Bollywood songs by the Mumbai orchestra group ‘Swar Sarita.’

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio and Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Vice Chairman Dr. Bhagirath Maheta, Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Michael dePierro, Councilman Frank Neglia, Mr. Jigar Shah, along with other dignitaries and over 500, were in attendance. The audience danced to their heart’s desire, and the singers were masterful in their art.

They sang nostalgic old songs for the senior citizens and new songs for the young generation. The Master of Ceremony made the audience laugh with his jokes and witty lines.

During the event Association Secretary Mr. Raj Amin honored a lifelong trustee of the association and a retired Indian navy officer Mr. Hari Kunderan with a plaque describing his leadership and hard work.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Republican Committee will host a Breakfast with Santa to collect toys for Toys for Tots from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17, at the party headquarters at 51 Gibraltar Drive, Morris Plains, Suite 1D.

Attendees are asked to bring a new and unwrapped toy for a needy child. Anyone who wants to sponsor as an individual or a business should email laura@morrisgop.org.

Party representatives will buy a toy for every donation, which can be made by clicking here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling joined the Morris/Sussex Vicinage of the Superior Court of New Jersey today to celebrate “National Adoption Day” on Friday. November 18.

In her remarks, Surrogate Darling congratulated all the adoptive families and children who were adopted.

“This is a very special moment in your lives,” she said to the families and children being adopted. “You will no longer be children being adopted or adoptive families – you will simply be a family.

Surrogate Darling with the Morris/Sussex Vicinage and other stakeholders celebrates adoptive families and children across the country.

“Each member of the “forever families” created today is overwhelmed with joy and excitement as they begin the next phase of their journey, their lives enriched by each other on a foundation of love,” said Surrogate Darling.

The Surrogate’s Court oversees the adoption process for Morris County and works closely with the Superior Court in finalizing adoptions, making it part of the official start of these new families. The Morris County Surrogate’s Court supported the finalization of 52 family adoptions thus far in 2022.

Surrogate Darling congratulated the parents for their selfless act of love, “undoubtedly, you will be rewarded eternally in the joy of watching your children grow with your guidance and support.”

The Surrogate also gave special thanks to those in her office and in the Family Division who help make every adoption happen and who help bring these wonderful families together.

For more information on the Morris County Surrogate’s Court click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio announced that his legislative office will again collect toy donations this holiday season to be shared with families in need. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Senator’s legislative office in Montville.

Senator Joe Pennacchio announced that his legislative office will again collect toy donations this holiday season to be shared with families in need.

The Senator is looking to help individual families in need of toys. Please contact his office to discuss any specific needs.

A family looking for toys must contact Senator Pennacchio’s office to make an appointment for Thursday, December 15.

Senator Pennacchio will also distribute collected toys through the Battered Women’s Shelter, Passaic and Montville UNICO, the Marine’s Toys for Tots, Parsippany Kiwanis, The Ronald McDonald House, Saint Pius Church, and Saint Peters Church.

“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 needy children. I urge my constituents to take the time to make a donation and embrace the spirit of generosity that this season inspires.”

Senator Pennacchio also wishes to express his heartfelt thanks to all the schools and individuals participating in the toy drive with their generous donations. Over the years, the Senator has collected thousands of toys.

Senator Pennacchio’s legislative office will collect toys through December 14, 2022.

Donations may be delivered to the 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.

For additional information, call (973) 227-4012.

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills has a total of 38,024 registered voters. During the November General Election, a total of 16,083 voters participated. 11,415 appeared at the polls on Election Day, while 3,139 voted early and there were 469 provisional voters. Compared to Morris County, there are 397,485 registered voters, with 194,387 voting, or 48.90%.

House of Representatives – 11th CD (Vote for 1)

Morris County Sheriff – (Vote for 1)

Board of County Commissioners – (Vote for 3)

Parsippany Board of Education – (Vote for 3)

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills invites all residents to welcome Santa & Tree Lighting Festivities on Saturday, December 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Parsippany Municipal Building, located at the corner of Route 46 West and Parsippany Boulevard.

Santa will be arriving at 5:00 p.m. by fire truck escorted by Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 6.

Immediately following the tree lighting Santa will be meeting with the children so be sure to have your wish list with you.

Bring a camera as we encourage you to take your child’s photo with Santa. Refreshments will be served after each child’s visit with Santa.

MORRIS COUNTY — Preschool Advantage, a Morristown-based non-profit organization, held its 2022 annual Turning Leaves benefit dinner at Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park on October 12. After a two-year hiatus, the event returned with great energy fueled by guest emcee Guy Adami of CNBC’s “Fast Money,” who challenged the 250 attendees to give generously in support of this important cause. They took note, raising over $200,000 to fund preschool tuition for children in our community. The event was sponsored by the William T. & Marie J. Henderson Foundation with additional support from Hackensack Meridian Health, Private Advisor Group, Wiley Malehorn Sirota & Raynes, and several other individual donor sponsors.

At this year’s event, Preschool Advantage honored its 11 past board presidents.  Under their selfless leadership, the nonprofit has sent 1,300 local children to preschool since 1995. Special recognition was given to the trustee, Gail Reuther for her 40 years as a director at Mount Olive Child Care & Learning Center, a partner preschool of the Organization. Preschool Advantage Executive Director, Nancy Bangiola noted, “Gail has generously shared her decades of experience and expertise in early childhood education with Preschool Advantage.  Her peers recognize her as a leader in the field, and we consider ourselves very lucky to have benefitted from her wisdom for so many years.”

Preschool Advantage also recognized a local family whose twin daughters attend preschool with a grant from the Organization.  The twins’ mother, Jillian, remarked “The cost of preschool turned out to be one of our biggest challenges.”  Expressing gratitude to the supporters in attendance, Jillian shared that her daughters are thriving and will be ready for kindergarten in the fall. “It has been an extraordinary journey watching our children learn and grow,” she said with great emotion.

Preschool Advantage funds preschool tuition for children, ages three and four at our 27 high-quality partner preschools in Morris and Somerset Counties.  Our mission is to give children a fair chance to succeed in life.  We open the doors of preschool and unlock the possibilities beyond. Our vision is that all children in the community begin kindergarten ready to learn and grow.

The organization is supported by individual donors, and by grants from foundations and businesses.  Since its inception in 1995, Preschool Advantage has funded preschool tuition for more than 1,300 area children. To learn more about Preschool Advantage, call (973) 532- 2501 or click here.
 

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Interfaith Clergy Council hosted its first Thanksgiving Gathering on Tuesday, November 22.

Parsippany United Methodist Church hosted the event. Clergy from seven houses of worship participated and shared greetings, music, and Thanksgiving reflections with the community.  Participating in the gathering were: Vicar Psomi Psomas-Jackloski (St. Andrews Lutheran Church), Rev. Dr. Stacie Turk (Parsippany First Baptist Community Church), Rabbi Moshe Rudin (Adath Shalom) Rev. Don Bragg (Parsippany Presbyterian), Father Joseph Garbarino (St. Ann Roman Catholic Church), Rev. Marissa van der Valk (Parsippany United Methodist Church), and Father Aaron Oliver (St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church).

The Parsippany Clergy Council looks forward to making this an annual event.