Drew Blind joins Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany

Frank L. Cahill
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Drew Blind joins Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill inducted Drew (Andrew) Blind as a new member of the club on Thursday, December 5.

Club President Frank Cahill presented Drew with his membership plaque and Sponsoring Member Barbara Freda placed the official Kiwanis membership pin on Drew.

Drew is the local franchise owner of Chick-fil-A Morris Plains.

Blind’s stand-alone Chick-fil-A location at 1711 Route 10 East is homecoming for the New Jersey native who relocated from the chain’s location inside Garden State Plaza in Paramus.

Blind, who grew up in Morris County, was excited to return to his hometown where numerous family members reside and where his Chick-fil-A career began. A Team Member at the chain’s location in Howell, Blind worked at Chick-fil-A as a teen and during breaks while attending college at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania.

After graduating with a degree in business management, Blind and his wife, Colleen, moved to South Carolina where he worked on the leadership team at a Charleston Chick-fil-A restaurant until his wife’s career brought them back to Pennsylvania.

Blind knew early on that Chick-fil-A’s focus of freshly prepared food, genuine hospitality and having a positive impact on the communities it serves matched his entrepreneurial goals. Blind became director of operations at the chain’s location in Nazareth and began his pursuit of owning his own restaurant while also serving on corporate teams helping open new locations around the country. His dream of owning his own restaurant was realized when he was selected to operate Paramus location in 2015.

Frank Cahill said “We welcome Drew to this global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is the largest Kiwanis Club in the State of New Jersey with 75 members. New members are always welcome. (Click here for more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany). 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. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany ensures that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. They believe that by helping one child, you help the world.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46. For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany click here.

Community Center Closed on December 19

Frank L. Cahill
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Community Center Closed on December 19

PARSIPPANY — On Thursday, December 19, The Community Center will be closed as JCP&L crews work to install a permanent generator to the building.

Please plan you schedule accordingly.

The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Community Center is located at 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha

If you have questions please call the Mayor’s Action Center (973) 263-4262.

Summit of Association Presidents (SOAP)

Frank L. Cahill
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Summit of Association Presidents (SOAP)

PARSIPPANY — Neighborhood Civic Associations leaders in Parsippany met on Thursday, December 5.

“SOAP” presently consists of five Parsippany neighborhood civic associations (Hills of Troy, Sedgefield, Glacier Hills, Puddingstone Heights, Brooklawn) that are represented by their current presidents.

These leaders have been meeting for the purpose of sharing ideas, learning from one another, and proposing ways to facilitate inter community events, such as softball games. “SOAP” is a nonpartisan group that, when appropriate, will serve as a conduit to the township authority.

Meetings are scheduled for once every three months. We welcome and encourage any other Parsippany neighborhood associations to join the group. If you are thinking about forming a civic association in your Parsippany community, “SOAP” members will gladly assist in an advisory capacity.

For further information, please contact Warren Singer, Hills of Troy Neighborhood Association (HOTNA), singerwm@aol.com; or Carlos Guzman, Sedgefield Civic Association, MySedgefield@optonline.net

CCM President Presented with Enterprise Award from Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce

Frank L. Cahill
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CCM President Presented with Enterprise Award from Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce

MORRIS COUNTY — Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of County College of Morris (CCM), has received the Enterprise Organization of the Year Award from the Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce (MCHACC) in recognition of his and the college’s support of the Hispanic-American community.

In presenting the award to Iacono, Esperanza Porras-Field said, “The Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce recognizes you as a leader with a profound local impact on our business. Your strength of character, passion and commitment to service are admirable. You have been an outstanding representative of the mission of the MCHACC.” Porras-Field served as event chair for the 30th Anniversary MCHACC gala and award ceremony held December 5 at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by the MCHAAC,” said Iacono. “As I like to note, County College of Morris does great things every day, but we do even greater things through the strength of our partnerships with organizations such as the MCHAAC, which is such a strong resource for the success of the Hispanic-American community.”

The mission of MCHAAC is to advance the interests of businesses and organizations that serve the U.S. Hispanic-American market.

Iacono became CCM’s third president in 2016. Since then, he has worked diligently to strengthen the college’s relationships in the community and with business and industry. One of his guiding principles is that “great community colleges are those which strengthen the local economy by helping to attract, retain and support businesses, along with providing a high-quality education that changes lives.”

In addition to building strong ties with the MCHAAC to support the Hispanic-American community, the college also recently was awarded an $110,000 grant from Impact 100 Garden State to launch the Dover College Promise. That project will prepare low-income students in Dover for college and provide them with scholarships to cover tuition at CCM. The population of Dover is 70 percent Hispanic or Latino. By increasing the number of students who earn college degrees, CCM and its project partners, The Educational Center of Dover, the Dover School District and business and community leaders, hope to further elevate the town as graduates become leaders in their community.

Cushman & Wakefield Arranges Trade of 330,000 Square Foot Office Building

Frank L. Cahill
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Cushman & Wakefield Arranges Trade of 330,000 Square Foot Office Building

PARSIPPANY — PAG Investments has acquired a Class A Morris County office building from Mack-Cali Realty Corporation, announced Cushman & Wakefield. The commercial real estate services firm’s New Jersey capital markets team arranged the sale of 5 Wood Hollow Road.

Cushman & Wakefield investment sales specialists Andy Merin, David Bernhaut, Gary Gabriel, Brian Whitmer, Kyle Schmidt and Frank DiTommaso represented the seller and procured the buyer for the iconic, 330,000-square-foot asset, supported by leasing brokers William O’Keefe and Kelsey Nakamura. “The buyer selection process was extremely competitive and involved multiple rounds of bidding,” said Gabriel, who led the assignment. “PAG Investments has a proven track record of execution and performed as expected.”

Situated on 23 acres, 5 Wood Hollow Road was designed by world-renowned architect Charles Gwathmey of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects. Until recently, the three-story building’s top floor – totaling approximately 117,000 square feet – was occupied by AIG. The space currently is laid out for a full floor user and is equipped with office furniture and infrastructure to support a large tenant requirement. It is the only contiguous, single-floor availability of its size within the market. PAG plans to make significant upgrades to all building commons area to benefit existing and future tenants.

“5 Wood Hollow Road is a prominent and recognizable address and Mack-Cali has done an excellent job in maintaining the building to a higher standard than the majority of buildings within the immediate market,” DiTommaso said. “PAG Investments saw value in both the quality of the building and the in-place tenancy and will continue to benefit from existing cash flow while further repositioning the property.”

5 Wood Hollow Road sits at the nexus of Morris County’s major highways including Interstates 80 and 287 and Routes 46 and 202. The building features a modern stone and reflective glass exterior, full-height atrium lobby and superior infrastructure – including a new roof, well-maintained systems and backup power with three onsite transformers. Amenities include a full-service cafeteria and a fully-renovated fitness center with shower and locker facilities. It also is within walking distance to the Sheraton Parsippany.

Cushman & Wakefield’s New Jersey capital markets team specializes exclusively in office, industrial, multifamily, land and retail property trades throughout New Jersey, New York and Fairfield County, Conn. The group has completed $32 billion worth of transactions since 2000, closing over $3.3 billion in sales in 2018.

Cerbo’s “Trees for Troops” is a huge success

Frank L. Cahill
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Cerbo’s “Trees for Troops” is a huge success

PARSIPPANY — The holiday season can be difficult for military families. For the second year, Cerbo’s Greenhouse and Garden Center, participated in “Trees for Troops.”

Local Parsippany Girl Scouts helped tag the trees and volunteers then loaded the trees onto a FedEx truck, which will be transported to military bases in the South for distribution.

Joining the group of volunteers was Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi and Representative Mikie Sherrill.

Tyler Cerbo and Mayor Michael Soriano

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano said “Volunteerism and support for our troops has always been a tradition in Parsippany  and I am grateful to the Cerbo‘s Family, Fire District 6,  and the Girl Scouts and all of the volunteers who came out today to support Trees for Troops.”

“The Cerbo family is graciously supporting the “Trees for Troops” effort again this year, and I’m delighted to be joining them as volunteers prepare freshly cut Christmas trees for delivery to a base in Texas this year,” Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce said.

Cerbo’s Parsippany Greenhouses, a family-owned business since 1913, also operates Cerbo’s Christmas Tree Farm in Branchville and Cerbo’s Hampton Nursery in Newton.

“Last year we had our first year of involvement with “Trees for Troops.” The organization helps facilitate the donation of Christmas trees to military service members across the country in partnership with businesses like ours. We receive donations for trees from people or businesses and then prepare them from our farm to be sent out of our garden center in Parsippany. Last year, we were able to donate over 110 trees, This year we are shipping out over 300” said Tyler Cerbo, who manages sales and marketing for the family business.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill said “We made an announcement at our Thursday morning breakfast meeting seeking volunteers, and I was proud to see a number of our members showed up to volunteer. Our members alway volunteer to promote goodness or to improve human quality of life.”

This year, the  trees are destined for Fort Sam Houston, which is part of the Joint Base San Antonio in Texas and under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force, 502nd Air Base Wing, Air Education and Training Command.

The trees were harvested this past week by the Cerbo family and employees, as well as some veterans and volunteers with the Paterson-based Harvest Outreach Ministry International, a non-denominational and multicultural ministry serving Northern New Jersey area and beyond.

By December 13, Trees for Troops will deliver thousands of trees to more than 74 US bases in all branches of the military. It has already sent about 200 trees overseas.

Trees for Troops began in 2005 and has delivered more than 225,000 Christmas trees to military families in the US and to troops stationed overseas. The act may seem small, but for those serving, it can mean everything.

Tree farms in about 20 states have donated trees to brighten a military family’s holidays. Many individuals have donated to Trees for Troops as well, getting the organization to its grand total of 225,319 free trees over the past 15 years. All those trees are then delivered to the bases with the help of in-kind work from FedEx, whose volunteers coordinate all deliveries.

Cerbo’s Greenhouse and Garden Center is Parsippany’s oldest business – even older than the town itself! The original deed was completed on a piece of parchment paper and consisted of 26 acres much of which is now under Route 80.

Give the Gift of a Perfect Book at the Parsippany Main Library

Frank L. Cahill
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Give the Gift of a Perfect Book at the Parsippany Main Library

PARSIPPANY — The Little Book Nook used book store at the Parsippany Main Library, 449 Halsey Road, is ready for the holiday season.

A large selection of seasonal books are displayed, and include children’s and adult holiday fiction, seasonal mysteries, cook books and craft books.

All CDs – great for Stocking Stuffers – will be sold at the reduced price of three for $2.00 in December.  Used books are a green gift choice, and at $1.00 for hardcovers and $.50 for paperbacks, they are also a perfect choice for every budget!

All proceeds go to the Friends of the Parsippany Library, who pass on the funds to the library to go toward programs and materials.

To learn more about how you can contribute to the growth of Parsippany’s libraries, visit the Friends of the Parsippany Library website at www.parsippanyfriends.com

The Parsippany Giving Tree

Frank L. Cahill
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The Parsippany Giving Tree

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Giving Tree is back just in time for the Holiday Season! To help our residents in need, we ask you to stop by Parsippany-Troy Hills Town Hall, please take a tag from the tree, and return the gift unwrapped, with the tag attached to the Community Center by December 14.

The tag will tell you information about the individual and what they would like for the Holiday Season. Thank you for all of your help, the Parsippany Community Center is located at 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha.

If you have any questions please reach out to the Mayor’s Action Center (973) 263-4262.

Morris Museum Hosts CCM Visual Arts Students Exhibition

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris Museum Hosts CCM Visual Arts Students Exhibition

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris Museum once again is hosting the Portfolio Class Exhibit featuring design and fine art pieces created by students at County College of Morris (CCM). This is the seventh year in a row that the museum is hosting the work of CCM students.

The exhibition, consisting of works created by students taking Portfolio classes through CCM’s Department of Art and Design, runs through December 12. A reception will be held the evening of the closing, December 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown.

“Portfolio courses at CCM help students to critique, improve and select their best work; create effective presentations; write documents for marketing their creative work to galleries, museums and prospective clients; and develop portfolios to gain entrance to four-year colleges and universities,” notes Todd L. W. Doney, CCM professor of visual arts. “Having their work on exhibit at the Morris Museum also is a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their work.”

The exhibition represents the summation of all of a student’s work from his or her creative studies at CCM. For information on the Department of Art and Design at CCM, click here.

Rep. Sherrill Votes to Pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act

Frank L. Cahill
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Rep. Sherrill Votes to Pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted for the Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4), critical legislation to restore the full strength of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). The Supreme Court’s Shelby vs. Holder decision gutted the VRA’s ability to combat voter suppression and discrimination. Since the Shelby v. Holder decision, at least 23 states have enacted voter suppression laws, including voter purges, strict ID requirements, poll closures, and curtailing of early voting hours.

“Our democracy only works if all eligible citizens can vote and make their voices heard,”said Representative Sherrill. “This bill will strengthen voter protection laws and help ensure that every eligible voter in New Jersey, and across the nation, can participate in our democratic process. I am proud to be a co-sponsor and to join my colleagues in passing this critical legislation.”

The Voting Rights Advancement Act will strengthen voter protection laws by updating and restoring important elements of the VRA. Among its key provisions, the bill:

  • Provides a new coverage formula that determines which jurisdictions are subject to preclearance, based on current conditions;
  • Establishes “practice-based preclearance,” focusing administrative or judicial review narrowly on suspect practices that may have discriminatory intent or to have discriminatory effects, as demonstrated by a broad historical record.

The bill has the support of a wide range of nonpartisan organizations, including the American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters of the United States, National Education Association, NAACP, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights,  Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and Native American Rights Fund.

Youth Exchange Trip to Japan

Frank L. Cahill
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Youth Exchange Trip to Japan

MORRIS COUNTY —  The Rotary Clubs in our area are looking for 28 students to represent the region in a cultural exchange with Japan.  The Short Term Youth Exchange with Japan, now in its forty-second year, offers students ages 15 to 18 the opportunity to learn about Japanese culture, interact with Japanese students and form friendships that will last a lifetime. Applicants must live or attend school in Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union or Warren Counties.

This three-week trip, tentatively departing on June 25, 2020 and returning on July 16, 2020, will visit major cities in southern Japan including Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. There will also be a separate trip to Hiroshima to visit Peace Memorial Park and the Holocaust Museum. The group will stay on the island of Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands in Japan.  Each student will meet and live with a host family in each of the island’s four prefectures.

The total cost of the trip including food, lodging and airfare is $3,200.  Students are selected through an interview process that occurs during January and February.

To apply click here.

The Short Term Youth Exchange Chairman, Jim Allison, can be contacted at JRA188@aol.com or (201) 213-6382 to answer any questions.

The Elvin Family Needs Your Help; Belongings were destroyed in house fire

Frank L. Cahill
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The Elvin Family Needs Your Help; Belongings were destroyed in house fire

PARSIPPANY — A fire destroyed the home of the Elvin residence on Allentown Road on Thursday, December 5.  The family needs your help.  They lost all of their belonging in the fire.

Effective Monday, December 9 there will be a collection box at Parsippany Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Road to drop off clothing and gift cards for the family. Two girls wear size 8W and size 8 shoes. In clothes, one of the girls wears large in everything. The other girl wears 2XL in a sweatshirt and XL in everything else. The son wears large in both pants and tops. They could also use toiletries and undergarments.

Items can also be dropped off at Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Drive, until 2:30 during the week or at Police Headquarters, 3339 Route 46, at other times – just make sure to mention Detective a Ortiz.

Sons of Italy 2561 already donated gift cards to Walmart so they can purchase clothing immediately.

The family currently is living at a local hotel, but will move to a hotel with apartment-style suites, fully equipped kitchens in the near future.

There is a GoFundMe account set up by Parsippany Hills High School teacher Michael Iapicca. Click here to donate to the family.

To read more regarding the fire click here.

 

 

Update on House Fire at 125 Allentown Road

Frank L. Cahill
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Update on House Fire at 125 Allentown Road

PARSIPPANY — A structure fire was reported at a single-family home
located at 125 Allentown Road at approximately 5:38 p.m. on Thursday, December 5.

Two juveniles located on the second floor of the residence were alerted to the fire after they smelled smoke, along with the fire alarms being activated. They were able to exit the house uninjured.

Upon arrival of responding officers, they observed fire and heavy smoke coming from the kitchen window. The juveniles advised officers that their cat may still be inside the residence.

Officers Kurza and Krol attempted to enter the residence, but could not safely do so due to the fire and a heavy smoke condition.

The mother was contacted by the juveniles and she responded back to her residence. Fire personnel were able to extinguished the fire, however the structure was deemed uninhabitable.

Accommodations were made by their insurance company to stay at a local hotel. While a contractor and officers were still on scene, the fire rekindled and fire personnel again responded and extinguished the fire.

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by Parsippany Police Department Det. M. Czajka, with assistance from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit and Crime Scene Investigations Unit.

We would like to thank the Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire Department, Lake Parsippany Fire Department, Par-Troy EMS, Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery for their response and assistance.

We stress the importance of proper maintenance of fire, smoke, and Carbon monoxide alarms, which may include replacing the batteries, so they can quickly alert occupants of the possibility of unsafe conditions.

OSI-Led Plan to Enhance Boonton Reservoir Approved by Jersey City Council

Frank L. Cahill
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OSI-Led Plan to Enhance Boonton Reservoir Approved by Jersey City Council

PARSIPPANY — A plan developed by the Open Space Institute (OSI) to protect and improve passive recreational access to the Jersey City Reservoir has been formally approved by the Jersey City Council. With its endorsement, OSI and the Morris County Park Commission will proceed to the next phase in their creation of the “Jersey City Reservoir Protection and Trail Project.”

The plan, approved on December 4 and accessible here, will create a new, 7.7-mile trail around the 1,300-acre Boonton Reservoir, which has been the primary water supply of Jersey City since 1904. The trail will be open to the public, including the approximately 15,000 residents who live nearby. The project will also safeguard drinking water supplies by enhancing security, while installing new drainage solutions and native plantings to reduce stormwater runoff.

OSI will secure permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the trail and work with engineers to lay the groundwork for its creation, while the Morris County Park Commission will undertake the actual construction. The Commission expects to open Phase 1 of the trail within a two-year timeframe.

“The Open Space Institute is proud to further a legacy of creating life-changing public recreational assets and of safeguarding drinking water resources for generations to come,” said Kim Elliman, OSI’s president and CEO. “Strategic land conservation goes hand-in-hand with providing healthy communities safe, reliable drinking water and places to play.”

“We’re grateful to OSI for creating a plan to preserve the environmental integrity of the entire area,” said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. “Increasing quality to the environment and to the drinking water is of top priority, but this plan additionally provides our Jersey City students a new opportunity with future educational field trips – similar to our plans underway for Jersey City Reservoir #3 in the Heights.”

In September 2018, the Jersey City Council passed a city ordinance authorizing the execution of a 40-year lease agreement with the Morris County Park Commission to develop and manage a trail at the Reservoir. The ordinance also authorized OSI to create a master plan to determine public use of the property. While developing the project, local consultants Greener by Design and Amy Greene Environmental were instrumental in developing and conducting outreach around the initial plan.

The Jersey City Reservoir site is located in Boonton and Parsippany-Troy Hills Townships. Fed by the Rockaway River, the 700-acre reservoir serves as the primary source of drinking water for Jersey City. On its way to Jersey City, the water passes from the reservoir through a treatment facility which purifies an average of 50 million gallons a day.

For decades, OSI has been a leader in conserving land for drinking water protection. OSI has protected over 11,000 acres through easements in the Beaverkill Valley and over 20,000 acres of New York City’s watershed lands in Delaware County — including around the Ashokan Reservoir, New York City’s deepest drinking water reservoir, which is also ringed by scenic, celebrated hiking, and biking trails.

Within the Delaware River Watershed Basin, in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, OSI has also built upon this decade-long experience using scientific knowledge to drive on-the-ground land conservation work.

Through its Delaware River Watershed Initiative, OSI has approved grants totaling over $7.6 million to protect almost 20,000 acres of land to ensure water quality in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In addition, OSI has supported efforts to integrate watershed science in public and nonprofit planning initiatives to channel funding to protect important watershed lands.

Weekend Holiday Events around Parsippany

Sharon Maroldi
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Weekend Holiday Events around Parsippany

PARSIPPANY — The first full weekend of December offers many holiday-themed events in and around Parsippany ranging from Santa visits to appeal to our youngest residents to a nearby Ugly Sweater pub crawl.

Topping our list of local festivities is Friday night’s annual Snowflake Festival hosted in the Lake Hiawatha. The event appeals to families, as the main event is Santa. And, Saturday is our town’s annual Christmas tree lighting at Town Hall on Route 46, which is followed by another Santa opportunity inside the building.  Information for both events are detailed below.

Friday, December 6, 2019

From 6-7:30pm, The Friends of Lake Hiawatha continue to sponsor their annual Snowflake Festival at the Gazebo on North Beverwyck Road.  The free event features photos with Santa, hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes and caroling by the Girl Scouts.  There will be raffles for boys and girls bicycles, as well.

Holiday Wine Tasting at the Morris Museum from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Benefits will go to Homeless Pets. Sponsored by St. Hubert’s. Tickets cost $60 and can be purchased online.

Saturday, December 7 

Parsippany – Town Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa’s Visit from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visit Santa, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. Please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to Parsippany Food Bank.

Parsippany Applebees on Route 46 will have a breakfast with Santa fundraiser beginning at 8:30 a.m. All proceeds will be donated to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program which distributes new toys to underprivileged children. Advanced reservations are required. Call or visit Applebee’s to purchase tickets. Payment required – $10.00. Free for children under age two.  $10.00 per adult, $5.00 per child Day of $6.00 per adult, $5.00 per child.

Boonton Kings Grocery Store – 12-4pm with have a Holiday Food Tasting. Live entertainment and holiday tasting. 

Morristown has its 8th annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl beginning at 13 South Street at 3:00 p.m.  The ugliest sweater gets a prize.  $10-$15 per person; must be 21 or older. Visit the website for full details.

Sunday, December 8:

Cerbo Garden Center Trees for Troops in Parsippany. From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.   Volunteers from the military and other local community groups load up trailers with fresh-cut Christmas trees bound for delivery. There will be food, hot beverages, and more. Plus WDHA-FM will be broadcasting live to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Montville Pathways is hosting The Little Mermaid Play and Holiday Party Fun at 2:00 p.m. Santa will be onsite and candy canes and photo opportunities are on the menu. Tickets range up to $10.00 per person. Visit the website for more details.

The Wayne PAL will hold a Holiday Flea Market and Gift Fair from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1 PAL Drive in Wayne. The event is free and features handmade arts and crafts, holiday-themed gifts and more.  Details are available here.

All Weekend

Morristown hosts a Holly Walk – a historic house tour December  6 to December 8. Times Vary. $30.00 per person. Locations include the Ford Mansion, Macculloch Hall, Stickley Museum and more. Visit this website for full details.

From now through December 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, the Turtleback Zoo puts on its annual Holiday Lights spectacular.  The free event has over 50 sparkling animal and winter characters.  Donations of new toys, non-perishable food items and gently used coats are gladly accepted for neighbors in need. Santa meet and greet and personally taken photos are free – Santa is onsite December 6-8, 13-15 and 20-23. Some activities may be at  additional cost. The train, carousel, reptile house, aquarium, Essex Farm and Pony rides are open.

From December 6-15, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays through 7:30 p.m., Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown hosts its Gingerbread Wonderland show of local talent creating ornate gingerbread houses. Weekends also feature a craft show.  $2.00 per person. You can view the flyer here.

The annual Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green runs thru December 22.  Hours for December 6 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., December 7 and 8 12 Noon to 7:00 p.m. Activities include a Santa visit, beautiful lighting to observe when the sun goes down and a fun, little-kid mini train ride. Be sure to see schedule for special events.

Thru December 24 at the Short Hills Mall. Santa’s Flight Academy is a personalized holiday adventure. Each visiting cadet receives a flight crew badge then, as an elite member of Santa’s flight crew, is fitted with a virtual flight suit. From there, the cadet partners with a helpful elf to inspect and power Santa’s sleigh using a series of interactive stations. The visit culminates with a snowfall dance party and, of course, time with Santa. Santa’s Flight Academy is free to all with a variety of optional photo packages to purchase.

PHS Drama Club Presents “The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens”

Frank L. Cahill
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PARSIPPANY — Join our talented PHS students for The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens, a madcap murder mystery by Billy St. John.

Gathered on a stormy evening at Worthington Manor to celebrate Edward’s fiftieth birthday are his attractive wife, her playboy brother, Edward’s befuddled older sister, his ex-wife and his daughter, a college student. Also present are his shady lawyer and his uptight business manager with his giddy wife and sexy southern secretary as well as the butler, the housekeeper, the maid and the cook. Each has a motive that is barely established when the lights go out! Seconds later they come back on to reveal the knife for the birthday cake protruding from Edward’s back. In Act II, the police detective also played by Walter investigates, eventually allowing the audience to question or accuse suspects before the killer’s identity is revealed in a surprising climax.

Reminiscent of Agatha Christie, The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens is a murder mystery/comedy with audience interaction, great storm effects, spiffy costumes, and lots of other good stuff that asks the question… whodunit?

Cast:

Myesha Ali
Luke Alleyne
Marissa Cogan
Peter DeMare
Ryan Crooker
Kenny Lee
Sarah Lepre
Maya Lerner
Maddie Otinsky
Abby Sanchez
Julia Sklow
Joseph Tremitiedi
Karmina Wall
Stephanie Wilson

Showtimes are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 5, 6 and 7 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door. Adults $10.00, Students and Seniors $8.00.

For more information regarding The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens, please call Parsippany High School at (973)263-7001 or email Ester Musilli, Director, at emusilli@pthsd.net.

Arrest Made in Connection with Wells Fargo Bank Robbery

Frank L. Cahill
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Arrest Made in Connection with Wells Fargo Bank Robbery

BOONTON — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and Boonton Police Chief David Mayhood announce the arrest of Andrew T. Merceruio, 37, of Boonton, on charges related to a robbery that occurred on November 27, at the Wells Fargo Bank in Boonton

It is alleged that on November 27,  law enforcement received a report of a bank robbery that occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank, 302 Wootton Street.

Subsequent investigation revealed that Andrew T. Merceruio entered the bank branch and demanded money.

After receiving a sum of cash, Merceruio then fled the scene on foot.

Merceruio has been charged with one count of Robbery, a crime of the second degree in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1a(2), and one count of Theft by Unlawful Taking, a crime of the third degree in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a.

The defendant has been lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on a warrant-complaint.

Numerous law enforcement agencies took part in this investigation, including the Town of Boonton Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Intelligence Unit and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Lou Valori Co-Chairs Transition Team of First Democrat African American Female Sheriff-Elect

Frank L. Cahill
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Lou Valori Co-Chairs Transition Team of First Democrat African American Female Sheriff-Elect

PARSIPPANY — Democrat Philadelphia Sheriff-elect Rochelle Bilal has named Dr. Louis Valori to help lead her 23-member transition team and implement her goals when she takes office in January 2020.  Valori is Corresponding Secretary of Morris County Republican Committee and also Parsippany Republican County Committee Chair. Valori was Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President until he lost reelection in November 2017 to newcomers Democrat Emily Peterson and Democrat Janice McCarthy.

Bilal is a 27-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and secretary of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NAACP.  She instructed recruits at the Philadelphia Police Training Center and served in the Special Victims Unit and on the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas task force, an interagency partnership that includes city, state and federal law enforcement throughout Delaware Valley.

Bilal is also president of the Guardian Civic League, an organization of black law-enforcement officers, and secretary of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NAACP.

When she’s sworn in January 6 as Philadelphia’s first elected female sheriff, she will inherit an office rife with scandal and low morale. Outgoing Sheriff Jewell Williams has been named in a handful of lawsuits filed by office employees accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliation, and creating a hostile work environment.

She will lead an office charged with providing security in courtrooms and transporting prisoners to court, among other duties. The office has an annual budget of $25 million and more than 400 employees, more than 300 of whom are in uniform.

Rochelle Bilal ran for sheriff pledging to reform an office long scarred by scandal. She will follow the quaint city custom of throwing a party for a corrupt politician headed to federal prison. Former Sheriff John Green, started a five-year stint behind bars in September, after he was convicted of taking $675,000 in bribes and kickbacks in office.

Statement on First Congressional Judiciary hearing on impeachment

Frank L. Cahill
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Statement on First Congressional Judiciary hearing on impeachment

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio “Statement on First Congressional Judiciary hearing on impeachment”

Lacking any credible witnesses that can point to a “ high crime or even a misdemeanor ,“ that President Trump committed, Chairman Nadler and his Democrat acolytes chose to call up four college professors to make a case for impeachment. (Three actually) It has become painfully transparent that the Democrats lack the skill or evidence to make an honest case against the President for impeachment themselves. The results after 8 hours of testimony was a reinforcement of a big nothing burger. The narrative of the day by the Congressional impeachment mob was that, what Democrats lack in substance,  they will make up with speed. Nadler fears that going into next years election they must rid themselves of Trump less heaven forbid he runs and wins again. A quick and predetermined guilty decision will save American voters from themselves. In a sad way we should be thankful to Nadler, Schiff, and even the wicked process itself. Americans are seeing for themselves what hyper partisan politics is capable of doing. How destructive to Democracy it can be. What they see they are not liking.

Breaking News: House Fire on Allentown Road

Frank L. Cahill
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Breaking News: House Fire on Allentown Road

PARSIPPANY — At approximately 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6, Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1 were dispatched to a house fire in Lake Parsippany at 125 Allentown Road.  In addition Boonton RIC team was dispatched along with Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, Parsippany Emergency Medical Services and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery.

A view of the fire at 125 Allentown Road from the side near the corner of Harrison Road

The Morris County Fire Coordinator was also requested to the scene.

According to unconfirmed witnesses at the scene there was no one home at the time of the fire and a dog and a cat escaped from the fire.

Parsippany Focus will update this article when official information is released.

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